By Traceye1 on Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 10:15 am:

Hi .. i have a 9 month old son with moderate eczema.. we are using steroid cream consistantly, moisturising multiple times a day and occasional wet wrapping.. does anyone have a baby with eczema who sleeps through the night? is it possible or should i give up trying and just accept that i won't get much sleep?

By Adam on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 12:32 am:

TRY IT FOR FREE AND THEN TELL ME.

Hi,

I used to suffer from really bad eczema, It tore apart my confidence and broke me. My skin was falling apart, spilitting, I was riddeled with it. and I tried everything!! They gave me steroids and anti histamins and 50/50 creams which made matter worse and it came out even more agressive. I nevwer felt worse! I was in tears! I thought my life had finished!!! when I had business meetings or spoke to women it was hellish! I suffered paranoia!!

I then did some reasearch and came across something. I got the mixture made up, with a vasaline base and OMG!!! its never come back.

The very next day the itching stopped, then my skin started to smooth and 4 months into this my pigmentation went back to normal. and my confidence came back! I could finally look people in the face instead of looking at the floor.

it changed my life. Its funny how when we look away from conventional medicine, we find the answers.

iv been helping out fellow eczema sufferers. giving them samples to try out, one of them is so thankful. I get the ointment made from scratch and its all natural!! thats the best thing.

its changed my life!!!

I am in the process of giving it to a friend who has a 1 year old who has bad eczema. I'll let you guys know the result.

I will be willingto give free sample tubs to try.

my email is adam@vip-minds.org.uk

By Ruth on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 11:50 pm:

I have an 11 month old son who has suffered with eczema all over his body since 2 months of age. We have managed to get the condition to a manageable stage by wet wrapping him at night with tubifast garments 3 times a week, and dry wrapping in the day so he can wear under his clothes. I have also discovered some mitts called clinifast which are for babies 2 years and under which you can get on perscription from your doctor. I have started hoovering and damp wiping down my son's bedroom every day an hour before he goes to bed to reduce dust mites and this also seems to have made a difference to his sleep pattern. I tryed many different moisturiser's and creams which didn't't work for us. So now I cleanse his body daily with epaderm cream and moisturise his body with yellow soft parraffin oil up to 6 times a day. These products are all on subscription and they seem to make the condition more manageable and we rarely have to use steriod creams- Hope this is of help!

By taraburg11 on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 03:05 am:

I wanted to offer some help- that you may find a little weird.. our dog about a year ago was dying this is by two differnt vets... super skin ises- covered in yeast- so you know this is a immune system issue- so is exema-
the third vet saved her life, no magic pills.. simply get her off grains!!!!
I know my nephew is 7 and no doctor would percribe him to get allergy tested until this past year- it slowed he MAY have a slight allergy to eggs a level one, out of four.. he has been covered in exema and asmtha since he was about a year and half- cried, steriod creams- well just on the chance.. took him off eggs- no more asthma, no more exema- he doesn't cry amymore no steriod cream either-
dr are dr not genius- Take off certain foods, not just the common as your son/daughter is not common that is why you are here... allergy to SOY baby formula, try the hyperallergic formua for a week if exema gone... well you get it. Teenager, could be citrus, dairy not just eggs, but specific cheese that all have differnt microorganisms on them.. could be allergic- and a dairy allergy will show up as a immune issue- not really a stomch issue- that is simply lactose- a form of sugar really-
start your system agian if you can... and regenerate your body or anyones.. just some thoughts- also if they have been on antibiotics... get some probiotics in them- I personally use dr udos because it is pasturized- good luck to everyone that is no way for amyone to live, and steriods trest symptoms... not much more, holding dow a three month old breaks my heart!

By Julies99 on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 01:27 pm:

Hi I have a daughter aged 5yrs who has kept me up for what seams like forever. I was recomended clothes from a company called skinniesuk.com They are great as the do not have seams and feel like silk. my daughter loves them and sleeps well in her top. they are coloued too which helps getting her to wear them. you can get them on prescription as I now do.

By Suzanne on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:40 pm:

Hi BusyLee,
I just wish I had replied sooner to your last posting. I know just how you are feeling.Its exhausting and harrowing to watch your child going through this.My daughter(now nearly 6)now tells me that she doesn't know what it would be like without 'itches'as she has always had them.
Shes suffered with eczema since being new born.I felt the same as you about giving her anti histamine at such a young age but I now know that it helped and would have been much worse without it.I actually learnt the knack of rubbing her skin for her during the night while I was dozing! You must also think of your welfare too.My ideals of never having our baby in our bed etc etc went out of the window!Keeping her cool was a major help but it also meant that we would be cold and uncomfortable whilst trying to sleep!There is nothing I can say to you about the scratching that will help.When its constant you wonder where they get their energy from when they are not still all night.When I gently rubbed Isabels skin it seemed to help her relax instead of fighting against me when I tried to stop her scratching herself.It still does.Although this is of no practical help for you it might comfort you to know that you are not alone.I can also understand the impact on work and finances.I hope things have improved since you posted last.
Suzanne

By BusyLee on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 11:33 am:

Hi, we are parents to a one yr old who has has eczema since 3 months - severe! we, like many parents self diagnosed a food allergy but no dr listened until i had proof when weaning her. since then we have used many diff emmolients, steriod creams and ointments and we are both on a dairy free diet as i breastfeed. My question is what do you all do with your babies at night? she has not stopped scratching herself until she bleeds.. we have had her in bed with us since birth and i have to hold her hands down all night long. I have had to defer going back to work, which is having a really bad impact on our finances.. we just feel like we cannot cope anymore and i can't find any help out there.. my consultant gave us a prescription for non sedatory medicine that may or may not help.. you have to give it every day for a month to see what difference it makes if any but i am concerned to give it to her as it says strictly for over 2's (she's 1).. dr knows this but claims it's only a small amount and should be ok!?? since our dairy, egg and nut free diets her skin is 70 % clearer and everyone says it looks really good however, she still has the odd outbreak and seems to scratch ALL the time.. mitts don't work and even if she was to keep them on she would still rubb her skin red and sore.. i just don't know what to do and wondered if anyone else is having the same issue.. what do you folk do?

By searching03 on Friday, September 05, 2008 - 08:12 pm:

I have a 14 year old daughter who has had atopic eczema (very severe) since she was 9 weeks old we have tried everything, steroids (oral and topical), creams, lotions, light therapy (different types) immunosuppressants, to name a few,... apart from a few respites during certain times of the year it is non-stop. She also suffers from asthma, severe allergies and migraines (as a result of stress and sleeplessness). Recently she was admitted in hospital to try and bring it under control so she could go back to school.. i am at my wits end .. i found this site while searching for anyone who is experiencing anything similar...

By Suzanne on Friday, August 22, 2008 - 04:05 pm:

Hi Pip,
We know just what you are going through.We have found that friends and family are very sympathetic but unless you experience this first hand you cannot truely understand the extent of this condition.Eczema effects not just the sufferer but the whole family.Our daughter is 5 now and we now have some better nights.I hope that I am not telling you anything you already know when I tell you what has helped us. We use the wraps and anti histamine with her as you do.As she is allergic to house dust mite(apparently over 80% of Eczema sufferers are)We now have anti dust mite bedding which certainly helps.(This wasn't cheap).We have replaced carpets with wooden flooring which we mop regularly and instead of curtains she has a blind which I wet wipe as part of the cleaning routine that we have for her room.She has 2/3 sheets instead of a duvet which we remove or add depending on how warm/cold she is feeling.We also have a fan on in her room which has definately helped(I also think she finds the movement/sound of this quite settling!)We have put all of her toys in stacker boxes and her favourite cuddly toys go in the freezer during the day.We are aware that this is not a normal environment and are concious that she must 'live in the real world' but we like you, could not cope on the tiny amount of sleep we were getting.This hasn't cured it but helps. Suzanne X

By pip on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 03:55 pm:

Hi,I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Our daughter has just turned 3yrs, has horrendous eczema which is rarely under control despite help and advice from GP and dermatologist.
Nights are terrible as whenever she's tiered this is when the itching starts. We are at the point of desperation, she's sleeping in our bed and is awake the whole night despite tubifast garments and the help of a sedative plus all her prescribed creams.
We just do not know where to go from here and are desperate as it's affecting our lives so badly.
She's also so unhappy in the day now as she utterly exhausted from the night before - we feel so sorry and helpless for her.
Any advice would be great - thanks.

By kim on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 10:22 pm:

hi everyone iv been reading all your posts with interest.I have suffered from ecezma since i was 6 weeks old i am now 49. When i say suffered i really have iv had every type of cream, ointment wet wrap,steroids,antihistamines,antibiotics and every old wifes tales going.I had several stays in hospital over the years and nothing has ever really worked its just a matter of learning to live with it.When i was a child the side effects of using steroids were not that well known and my doctors prescibed lots of it for me, as a result i now have terribly thin and scarred skin on most of my body apart from the fact that i still have severe ecezma.My doctor has recently put me on a tablet called cimitridine it is an anti acid stomach drug but iv been told it might be helpful to stop the intense iching i still have (dont think iv ever slept all night in my life ).Im also using itch relief creams and all the usual moisturisers, nothing helps. Because of the stress i have been on anti depressants since my teens, i also suffer from asthma and hayfever and have just been diagnosed with rhumetoid arthritis.I still, at my age, want to rip my skin to bits when the itching starts and im 49 and should know better.I sympathise and understand what your children are going through so you do what you can to get through the night and day with this horrible condition,love kim x

By sara on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:47 pm:

I also want to comment on Blondy's posting. My mom also recalls that whenever she would take me to the beach and came in contact with salty water, my eczema would go away. I think is funny because although true, salt water tends to irritate the skin, specially the affected areas. I have a couple of guesses as to why this was effective, number one, beach salty water may work as a natural antiseptic, two, air might be less polluted in the beach, three, the idea alone of playing in the beach and stuff was so exciting to me that I might have been able to psychologically block any over reaction from my immune system. I believe that although we try to treat problems of eczema with external factors, it has a lot to do with psycho/neurological factors. But you were right Blondy. Taking the kids to the beach does help!

By sara on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:32 pm:

I have eczema and had it since I was born. My mom was told that i was allergic to numerous different things but avoiding those things didn't seem to help . Now that i am grown I am able to better analyse when and why start getting a skin reaction. I remember that when i was a child i would get really itchy and uncomfortable during the night. I would start crying and scratching uncontrollably. I noticed that i still do that when there's temperature change (in change of season, specially entering spring or summer). I noticed that i feel itchy when i am hot or sweat a little. I recently read in an article that sweat might also be an allergen that causes rash on patients of eczema. When i would wake up during the night crying and scratching, i clearly remember to calm down and quickly falling asleep when my mom would turn the A/C or fan. I don't think that sweating a lot will bring crazy skin reactions, but it does seem to create discomfort which provokes a rash, at least in my case. When i do sports, i am so focused that my skin condition does not seem to affect me. Psychological stress becomes an important factor when growing up, so if i can keep my self busy and free of stress, that even seems to distract my immune system (which is really the causing agent for us who suffer from eczema and other allergies). Right now i am debating whether or not i should buy a cream called freedermHC or Eczana. Does any of you guys know about any of these products?

By Gina on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 02:50 pm:

Hi

I have 2 eczema sleepsuits second hand for approx babies/toddles from a year and a half to two and a half. If anyone could use them please let me know on this site by replying. I don't want any money for them just want to help.

By blondy on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:49 pm:

I once worked with children at a hospital on an island in the North sea, off the mainland. No cars allowed there. The air was really fresh and the very eczematic children were taken to/ along the beach daily, in the summer into the salt water. Their skin cleared up beautifully! (Of course the children were also given ointments etc.) So perhaps seaside hols might help?

By Jimbob on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 08:25 am:

You might need to get a prescription from your doctor. This way the pharmacist would dispense it no problem.

By nikki on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 05:02 pm:

hi.iv got twins who are 2 an half an a 5 year old an i was wanderin why d shops wont sell me phenegans.every night wen iv put them 2 bed they wake up thru d nite then i start playin musical beds.im gettin no sleep wotsoever.please help.

By jackie on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 05:55 pm:

hi magm
i would be very careful with this cream, in desperation i tried something similar for my son who was 3 at the time and he had a terrible reaction to it. i know where youre coming from with this as it makes sense to try doesnt it as it is an anti itching cream but with my son he had a bad reaction to it. why dont you ask the pharmasist for advice before you try it.
good luck
jackie

By Magm on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 11:58 am:

My son will be one this month, is lanacane safe to use?

By onry13 on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 07:18 am:

does anyone have any eczema sleepsuits size 80 or 12-18 month size that they would like to sell. I can't afford 64.00 for a sleepsuit and I can't find decent mittens to put on the ends of his regular clothes.

By onry13 on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 04:28 am:

We are currently using Calendula cream. It makes Logan's skin very soft. We've also determined he's allergic to dairy/soy and has a very bad reaction to oatmeal. your daughter could very well have a food allergy and I would get her tested if possible. Also I'm only using baby all for clothes, rinsing twice and cetaphil in bath once a week. I hope you find something soon.

By Christie on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 12:48 am:

To Dejas-Mom,

I've been going the natural route for my 5 year son and although his skin is still not completely clear it is a little better even without the steriods.

Could your daughter be allergic to gluten i.e. wheat which is in Aveeno products in the form of oatmeal? We are always experimenting with my son. My latest is trying "natural" oils. We have used Aloe Vera gel on his skin with some hlep. We are on our second day of using organic virgin coconut oil after soaking him in lukewarm water (sometimes w/ a cup of Epsom salt). The coconut oil is a bit messy, but I think it's working. We are also supplementing him. He gets megadoses of Vit c (spread throughout the day), a multivitamin, fish oil, Evening Primrose oil, and probiotics.

We also have started herbs. He's talking Milk Thistle, Licorice & Burdock. I've been reading the message boards and I think the general consensus is you have to treat E internally as well as externally. Lastly, we do not feed him anything he has been tested allergic to which is a lot.

Good luck and I truly hope your daughter's skin begins to heal.

By Dejas-mom on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 08:00 am:

Please Please anyone I need help!!!!
My 7yr old daughter is bringing me to tears very often lately. She has severe eczema per her pediatrician and dermatologist. It covers her arms, legs and her neck with spots on her stomach and back. I've tried everything suggested by the pediatrician all the very expensive meds prescribed by the dermatologist and we just can't get this under control. She wakes me every night itching, I wash her clothes separately in dye free perfume free tide, use cetaphil and aveeno products. I don't know what else to do please someone if you can provided any additional advice I'm at wits end. I'm in tears now because I just put her back to bed after putting on more cetaphil and her steroid meds which I hate using but we've tried elidel and it does absolutely nothing for her. The time now is 2:58am est even though the posting time says 7:58am

By NickRips on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 05:01 pm:

I have occaisional eczema, but as a child I had it on one wrist (don't recall which one), and it hung around for a year regardless of what we did to it. When it popped up as an adult, I had access to the scientific literature and the internet, found a treatment, tried it and it worked. It went like this: I took 5 pounds of potatoes and stored them in a dark place with good ventillation unitl they sprouted, harvested the sprouts when they were about 3-4 inches long and froze them; returned the potatoes to the dark place and got a second crop. Combined both crops in a blender with some water (enough to cover) and blended on high. I took the slurry out of the blender and microwaved it in an over-sized bowl (it foamed) so that it boiled for 3-5 minutes. I put a pair of large fluted coffee filters together in a large collander or sieve and filtered out the fiber from the hot solution (took a long time). I saved the filter pad and appled it to the affected area when cool (like a compress) on the first day, then every day afterward dabbed the cloudy liquid with a cotton ball onto the area. I never drank the liquid (severe diarrhea!!). Used it up in a month and kept it refrigerated or frozen if kept longer (it can have potato starch that grows mold and bacteria over time). It contains a dilute solution of an alkaloid (solanine); toxic and teratogenic if ingested in large doses, but perfectly ok for my topical use. Cleared up my rashes and eczema rapidly; some benefit to mild acne, on me. Has astringent and drying action on me; the eczema just sloughed off and baby-smooth skin was underneath. I am not a person who is allergic or might be allergic to potatoes and tomatoes, or members of the nightshade family. Oatmeal and other vegetable products also contain trace amounts of this alkaloid; oatmeal compresses and oatmeal soaks were also helpful, but the efffect was not as rapid or as complete. I am not advocating this for general use or misuse, and I have no responsibility if it is misused; this information is provided for discussion only, and is publically available in scientific literature and patents. God bless and good luck.

By Jimbob on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 10:05 am:

Can you use Lanacane on babies and toddlers. I read something on the internet that said it was not to be used on children under 12 years old. You could be using a different strengh though. Please post the information on this site about its strengh and what age it says you can use it from as my son is 19 months old and I would love to be able to stop the intense itching for him. At least then he might get a decent nights sleep.

By wendy9 on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 05:28 pm:

Onry13,
It also has an antibacterial in it to heal the oozing weepiness of the sores, my son had lot's of those.
Wendy

By wendy9 on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 05:25 pm:

HI ONRY13,
My son is 2 1/2 and I've only been using it for about a week, the only flare up I'm seeing is in and around his bum, but I think that is from being in the diaper wet too long (oops!)sometimes I forget to change him. Anyways I do put it on at night and he looks incredible, it is just amazing!
Wendy

By onry13 on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 02:19 am:

hey wendy, how old is your son now and how long have you been using the lanacane? Do you put it on right before bed, does he still have flare ups? Thanks for the tips as my son now 8 months is still bad.

By wendy9 on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 05:10 pm:

Hi
My name is Wendy Porter and I wanted to help if at all possible! My litte boy has had extremely bad eczema for quite a long time( huge sores everywhere all over is head, I even had to shave his head), I found out he was allergic to eggs and corn, I tried every cream( steroid, elidel, dr. christopher salves) and every homeopathy remedy I could find along with egg substitutes and elminating corn also hypoallerginic laundry soap. It was not only till my husband started to put Maximum Strength Lanacane Anti-Itch cream(over the counter cream) on him that we noticed a huge difference, we have been putting this cream on him everynight and he sleeps all night. To this day it has completely disappeared. He is soo much happier! and so are we. Maybe you could try this and see if it will work for you, if it does pass on the great news to others.
Good Luck,
Wendy

By Jimbob on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 08:17 am:

Hi Becks,

It sounds like yours sons face may be infected as often the weeping is a sign of this. Please go back to your doctor and have him look at this. It may be a good idea for him to swab your babies face as if there is an infection this will show what kind. Your baby may need a topical antibiotic cream or a course of oral antibiotics. Please get something done as it sounds quite bad at the moment. I completely understand that you don't want to put steroid cream on your babies face as they can have long term affects especially when used on young babies. In the UK the highest strenght we are told to use on a childs face is 1% hc and they say anything stronger can cause serious problems. You might also ask your doctor if you can try a different emollient cream as the ones you are using may not suit your sons skin.

By becks on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:46 pm:

im having the same problem as christine my baby skin is blistered real bad im been using durobase this does nothing ive only seen a doctor about my babys skin problem i cant sleep because im to worried my baby will scartch his face hes in my bed because of this ive also used aqurise i dont like to use steroid cream as it is a very strong cream that drys out his face please some one if you got any advice

ps hes face is very weepy and blistered

By Jimbob on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 07:51 am:

We have just got back of our first family holiday abroad which was absolutely fantastic. We went to menorca and the weather seemed to really suit James's skin. He improved so much. Unfortunately this did not seem to improve his sleep at all and was still incredibly itchy at night. It was lovely to see him in shorts and t shirt though. Don't get me wrong he did still have scratch attacks so we had to watch him carefully but there was definately a lot of improvement. Unfortunately since we have been back he is slowly getting worse and have had to start using the hc on a daily basis again. It is also starting to feel like we have never been on holiday.

By AMCS on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 02:02 pm:

I've had eczema since i was a young baby (I'm 27 now) Just thought I'd pass on some tips that may help some of you - I have managed to get my eczema under control by washing the affected area twice a day, drying the skin quickly and immediately applying moisturiser (Any delay will result in the skin drying out and becoming itchy) In fact anytime the skin gets wet at all apply moisturiser immediately. I have never found that wrapping the skin in cloth/gloves etc has done any good - in fact it can make the problem worse by overheating the skin and making it itchy. Plenty of sunlight is important too and fresh air. I have also found that stress makes eczema much worse and this can be passed from parents to young babies. Try to help the child to relax before going to sleep (This works for me)Also drinking plenty of water has made a huge difference to my skin (Think it helps to wash the toxins out) I can also recommend that you switch the treatment/moisturiser every 6 months or so and use less in the summer weather.
I regret now using so much hydrocortisone ointment when I was younger as this has caused my skin to be very thin.

By onry13 on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 03:10 am:

Went to the derm today for our first visit.
She called his skin, atopic dermatitis which I already knew. Here were her recommendations
No soap in bath unless needed, just water...
No lotions, only aquafor ointment or vaseline...
cotton clothes are good.
He has an infection on his legs from scratching with his other leg (silly boy) so we are now on antibiotics for two weeks....and she gave us another cortizone ointment (2%) that I can use twice a day for one week then off for one week so it doesn't thin out his skin. I thought it was funny her first question was "Does he sleep at night" Uh, no

By carolann on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 11:19 pm:

Hi,
I'm 25 years old and i still suffer from pretty bad eczema. Recently i started using a product called skinsure plus. I find it to be the best cream i've ever used. Best of all it doesn't contain any steroids. It does sting when applied to damaged skin, but this only lasts for a few minutes. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who suffers from eczema as it helps damaged and sore skin to heal quickly and it also contains a good moisturiser.

By jane on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 07:11 pm:

Hi, We ended up taking desperate measures in the end with gloves and actually sewing them on the end of his tshirts. He did use to wear the mitten t shirts alot from Cotton Comfort during the day as well. We used to read about how this could hinder development with using their hands etc. Got to say he is seven now and certainly hasn't suffered in his development.

The tshirts or pyjama leggings are great for long journeys as at least you know they are not ripping them selves to shreds. I know they are still rubbing etc but it has got to be better than nails directly on the skin.

At the end of the day people who offer the advice about not given bottles in the night, not sleeping with your child, not letting your child in your bed, not putting mittens on them etc are not the people living with it 24/7. There is only so much distracting you can do in the course of the day!

Take care and Good luck

By onry13 on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 05:41 pm:

Thanks Dan, Logan has recently figured out how to pull the infant mittens off as well but if he doesn't wear them he puts really deep scratches all over his face and body during diaper change so he's wearing them all the time (except bath time). I was just wondering what you bath you guys here bath your kids in. As far as gloves go I'm thinking of making my own. I'm also thinking of weaning him off the anti-histamine completely for a few days so maybe it will work again at night. Have any of you used regular benadryl liquid?

By Dan on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 04:01 pm:

Jimbob,

I am sad to hear that even Vallergan Forte doesn't do the job for your baby boy ... although based on our experiences with antihistamines I cannot say I am surprised (I am disapponted a bit because I thought this would be a strong sedative dose for an 18-months-old-toddler).

As you say, if it works at all then it works for about 2-3 hours (depending whether I give him before going to bed or, when it gets really bad, during the night) and if you use it for several days in a row the sedative effect gets weaker (I wouldn't like to use it all the time anyway - I just wish we all have at least 1-2 good nights of sleep per week!).

Since this February we are also on Neocate (Advance, previously were on SMA Gold/Progress, at one stage on Nestle HA and Pregestimil too) and at the moment it looks like our son (Marko) will be taking night feeds as long as he has severe eczema. As you say, the only thing that can calm him down at that time is a bottle. I am not really worried about such comments (that he is (obviously) too old for night feeds) but I am worried about his teeth.

I wish you all the best in your battle against eczema - based on your posts I believe we are (unfortunately) going through very very similar issues ...

Onry13,

I didn't have an issue with getting mittens until Marko was over 1 - then he couldn't use anymore these 100% cotton mittens so I had to buy small gloves (100% cotton) for him via the Internet (http://www.eczemaclothing.com/) ... they looked promising but didn't really do the job because initially it took me 1-2 minutes to put them on (100% cotton has a downside of not being strechable), and then it took 5 seconds to Marko to take them off and recently he started to use them (even when he is very sleepy) to rub his face more instead of scratching it. I'd say rubbing is a bit better than scratching and "ripping" off his face (some very rough scratching and pulling he does sometimes) but it's still not good ...

We've seen several different dermatologists in the last 20-ish months and some of the suggested treatments differed a lot so you'll have to wait and see. Before dermatologists, our GP and health visitor suggested some basic treatments such as hydrocortisone/fucidine (H), then moisturizers (E45 cream, Silcock's base).

By onry13 on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:28 pm:

Wow am I glad I found this. I was searching for some new mittens for my son now 7 months. He was diagnosed by his regular ped at the beginning of march with severe eczmea. We can't get into the derm until the 20th of April. He was born premature by 7 weeks so he's technically 5 1/2 months. We are just using lotions/vaseline and the occasional cortizone on his skin and atarax for the itching (useless crap). He's really broke out today and I'm wondering what else they can do for him. He was breastfed and is now on the alimentum formula. We also just started veggies. He reacts to the gerber cereals so he can't have those either. Thanks for letting me post.

By Jimbob on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 11:41 am:

Hi Dan,

We use 7.5ml (45mg) of Vallergan Forte for James (he is 18 months). He is given this at about 7.00pm and he tends to fall asleep by 9.00pm. On the first few days of using it he will be calmly asleep untill about midnight then the scratching starts even though he is not awake. After a few days the Vallergan Forte is pretty useless. We have Ucerax which was suggested by his dermatology nurse which we alternate with the vallergan forte but that is useless aswell. When James gets really upset and wakes then a bottle of neocate (milk substitute)is the only thing that will calm him down and get him back to sleep. We were told by our health visitor that he is too old to be having feeds in the night but she does not have to look after him and is also not the one that is being deprived of sleep. People can't possibly understand unless they are going through it themselves.

By jane on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 08:05 am:

It does improve with age although i know that isn't much consulation at the moment. Instead of the crying and struggle at least we can talk about it.

I've got to admit I did end up on anti-depressants as I just couldn't take anymore. It would have been so much easier if it cleared up once in a while. The eczema was just always there 24/7.

Like you we spent loads on alternative therapies, wooden flooring, water softener. We find the eczema pyjamas good because at least that way he can't actually do as much damage to the skin.

Ice packs help sometimes I wrap them in a tea towel and he puts them on the itch bits.

This website was a God send as at least you felt as though there were people who actually understood.

Take care and keep in touch.

By Dan on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 04:54 pm:

Thanks for your feedback, Jane. I understand you when you say how you expected more from Vallergan Forte - after using Phenergan, I also expected some minor miracle from Vallergan, like sedating him enough to sleep well for some 5-6 hours, but that didn't happen.

I agree that complaining so much about the lack of sleep etc. can sound selfish, particularly if we remember that our children are the ones who actually suffer the most - they can't scratch when it itches them, they too can't sleep well, plus whatever we do while trying to prevent them from scratching can also additionaly irritate them ... I really hope that things will become a little bit easier when my son is a bit older (3-4 years) and more reasonable and able to understand when I try to explain him why he shouldn't scratch, and that if it itches him I can put some moisturizing cream/ointment or scratch him gently myself!

On the other hand, sleeping is one very basic necessity and constant lack of it, plus all the additional stress, can only cause damage. I even used to say that I would accept to sleep even less if only his awakenings would be milder (like when he was a small baby, for example), with no scratching and no fierce struggle between us when he tries to scratch and rip off his skin, while I am trying to get his small but strong hands off his face or neck ...

I don't know what is Cranial Osteopathy but I'll do web research on it to get more information. By the way, my son is just off the oral steroids but I can't say they helped at all in terms of better sleep. Instead, I'd say that they made him even more active so, especially at the beginning of the treatment, he was going to bed later than usually (which is already very very late).

We also have double beds in both bedrooms and usually all three of us sleep in the same bed but during late Spring/Summer (when it is warmer) one of us sleeps with him, while another one is in the other room, with the baby monitor's parent unit switched on, so he/she can prepare the milk when there is a need for it. One person can't handle it all since my boy gets nervous and very itchy when waking up in the night so one person in required to comfort him while the other one prepares milk. And yes, this way no one in the house gets a good night sleep ...

Anyway, I am really glad to hear that at least something (in your case Cranial Osteopathy) has worked up to some extent ... unfortunately it didn't help in clearing your child's eczema but I'd say that resolving sleepless nights was still a huge step forward.

Best Regards!

By jane on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 02:35 pm:

Just a quick one as only came on site quickly to have a look before doing what I'm meant to be doing........

Our son was on vallergan forte from the hospital and to be quite honest it never really done anything. I remember coming home from the hospital that day and thinking what a wonderful nights sleep I was going to have because our son was going to be "knocked out". Call me selfish but sleep deprivation is awful. I'm afraid it never happened it didn't really do anything apart from make him really grumpy the next day.

The best thing that has had an affect on our sons sleep is Cranial Osteopathy. Don't ask me how or why it works. We had only had about 6 full nights sleep since Tom was a baby because of eczema and that was because he had been on oral steroids. We started the cranial ostepath when he was 5 to help with eczema. To be honest it hasn't really helped the eczema but the sleep started to improve almost immediately. I'm not saying it was a miricale or anything like that but it worked alot better than the Vallergan Forte and at least I wasn't putting more stuff into his system.

We are still using the Protopic etc. Reading your posts brought lots of feelings flooding back. Eczema can be a real strain on a family. We found that me and my husband hardly slept in the same bed! We got our son a double bed in the end so i could get in with him in stead of him in with us. That way it did at least make you feel as though your bedroom was your own.

Sorry i could ramble on for ages about it as i feel very passionatley about the effect it has had on our families lifes over the last seven years.

I really do feel for you and like you say no way can imagine what its like until you have been there. For all the people who turn to you and say "well its only and itch" they should try it for a week.

Take care

By Dan on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 12:38 pm:

Jimbob,

Your post from 28th of March looks so familiar to me like I wrote it myself ... it is sad but true that people like us can find some comfort in reading comments left on such forums because on that way we understand that we are not alone in this tough struggle. People who never had a child with *severe* eczema can never understand (not nearly!) what we are getting through. I admit then when my son (now 2 year & 1 month) was diagnosed with eczema (when he was about 6 weeks) I didn't thought myself it was a big deal ... boy, I was wrong, wasn't I!

There are many diseases that are so much worse than even the most severe eczema but we didn't get away easy with this one either. My wife and I are sleeping very little for about 20 months now (eczema started to get worse when he was 4-5 months), we have to keep an eye on him constanly (24x7) because he can start viciously scratching most suddenly, for a long time now he is also sleeping with us for exactly the same reasons you are mentioning, etc. etc. We've seen so many doctors so I'll just put several keywords in case you or someone else want to ask us about: Modrasone, Eumovate, Hydrocortisone, even oral steroids (prednisol), Elidel, Protopic, Vallergan, Phenergan, Bactroban, many antibiotics, wet wraps, viscopaste bandages, Evening Primrose Oil, Homeopathic remedies, moisturizers (E45, Silcock's base, Emulsifying ointment, Paraffin gel, Oilatum cream & bath) ... there is more but I can't remember now (was really tough last night). This constant stress has a lot of negative affect on myself, my wife, and our marriage. I even started taking sedatives because I could never calmly handle his scratching, especially in the night time. What's tougher in our situation is that we are living abroad so we don't have families around to help us out (which would be very useful as we note every time we go back home for a holiday).

What I would ask you, or anyone else who can answer is: What doses of Vallergan do you give to your kids (what dosage, at what time(s) of day, at what frequency (that is, are you giving it for a couple of days and then make a couple of days break), what is a kid's age), and how do you think if it helps.

My son was prescribed Vallergan when he was 5 months old and Doctor told us that it's not generally given to babies younger than 6 months but after I read in the leaflet that (not exact quote but correct enough) "if child takes too much of if child younger than two swallows any of it, contact your doctor and go to the nearest casualty straight away" we didn't give it at all. It was our early stage in fighting with eczema, later we became more open to doctor's instructions and less strict to leaflets (although I still always read them thoroughly!) ... anyway, that vallergan expired before we could try it and just recently we got a new one and tried it (2.5ml before sleep) and we didn't see any vast improvement in sleep (probably slight in the first several hours but nothing major). Btw, we gave him phenergan from when he was about 6-7 months and sometimes it did work but sometimes don't (basically, you can't use it for more than a few days in a row because it seems to be getting used to it).

Sorry for long message - I've been browsing the Net (this one and similar forums) for a while (usually looking for a particular info on a certain medicine) and this is the 1st time I leave a post ...

By Jimbob on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 09:13 am:

Hi Catch22

You are in a difficult position and it seems completely unfair that your son is being denied this financial help due to the lack of concern by his new health care team. How long ago is it that he saw his old health care team? Maybe they could send a letter to back your case if it was not long ago. Is your son seeing a specialist at all? You will just have to be persistant and keep mythering sometimes that does the trick. People get fed up and decide it would just be easier to fill it in for you. Which members of the healthcare team have you tried? I know we had a few different people offering to help with the form. Have you tried his Health visitor? I know ours was more than willing. It was my sons Dermatology nurse who filled it in in the end and we are waiting to find out if we are rewarded it at the moment.

By Jimbob on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 01:50 pm:

I am new to this site and I think it is great. It is helpful to know that there are other people in the same situation as you. My son is 18 months old and has had severe eczema since he was 6 weeks old. He has not had a decent nights sleep since then. He is on a huge dose of Vallergan Forte and he has wet wraps and all cotton sleepsuits plus bedding which is also anti allergy. We keep the bedroom cool aswell but he still scratches constantly through the night. I have to sleep next to him so I can hold his arms to stop him from destroying his face. His hands are covered up but his face would be red raw and weeping in the morning if I left him to it. Needless to say none of us get much sleep and its really starting to take its toll.

By Catch_22 on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 12:49 pm:

Hi All,
I have a 4 year old daughter who has severe atopic eczema and has been treated since the age of 4 months with the usual steroid creams and wet wraps. She has received Disability Living Alowance since she was 6 months old.
I also have a Son who is just 8 months old and he has now developed an equally aggresive case of atopic eczema, has been prescribed with the same steroids, emollients and wet wraps but has just had his claim refused for DLA.
My daughter's form was completed by her specialist, however we have moved out of the area and the new health care team refuse to complete our Son's form.
I feel that my lack of medical terminology may have meant my Son's claim was not considered as serious as my daughters.
Does anyone have any suggestions which may help with our appeal?
Kind Regards,
Martyn

By Positivity?!?! on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:41 pm:

By Positivity on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:38 pm:
My daughter is about 20 months old and has suffered from eczema since she was few weeks old.

I have tried every type of cream both medicated and not. Nothing has worked. I have given her a range of antihistamines some of which have worked others have not. She has had antibiotics btoh in liquid and cream form, but I am reluctant to give her any more in case she becomes resistant to them.

She hasn't ever slept the whole might through, since she was born and still does not. She is very clingy especially when the eczema is worse.

She has been to various consultants at the local hospital, and they diagnosed her as being seriously allergic to peanuts, mildly allergic to milk and eggs and also diagnosed as being a Coeliac (Gluten intolerant). Trying to wean her has been really difficult. I am constantly worried that she might eat something accidentally which could prove life-threatening.

As I have to work too, because I am the sole earner in my household. It is difficult to impose upon family and friends all the time, I feel guilty that I have to work but cannot afford not to. I know I cannot manage on state benefits as they keep me on the poverty line.

I want my child to have a normal life and for me to be able to pursue a life as well, but I am finding it really hard to cope with her and want to have some time to pursue some professional qualifications. I can't afford to in terms of time and money.

There must be many other Mother's who suffer in the same way, many of them who are on their own as I am but cannot find any help. Does anyone know of any support groups to whom I might be able to talk to?

By ruth on Thursday, August 04, 2005 - 01:42 am:

sorry forgot to add - we also use a pain relief strategy - we use paracetomol for mild - mod pain - and if her skin is really hurting her then i use a paracetomol/codeine mix. pain relief is hardly ever addressed - i dont know why - but it is very important and can make your son feel much more comfortable.
remember eczema management is a multipronged approach - sometimes you can get away with doing a couple of things but other times you need to bring the whole army to the battle - just go with the flow on this and adjust your treatment according to the cirumstances.

By ruth on Thursday, August 04, 2005 - 01:35 am:

Hi Anthony - this is a truly debilitating condition for not only the child but also the parents/caregivers - it is often relentless and chronic in its course. As many would know here - we have also been down this road that you are on too - we have had it so extreme that we have had our child on morphine (for pain - her whole skin system was broken down and infected) and low dose chemo to try and reduce the god awful effects this was having on her...and she was only 4 yrs old at the time. We too have wrestled with this condition since her birth and have tried all sorts of lotions potions ....almost to the point of witchcraft - to try and find some sort of magical solution/cure to all of this. But what we have come to realise and ACCEPT (which is not only the hardest thing but also the thing that will save you ) is that this is often a chronic condition and as such you need to change your mental approach from being a sprinter to being an endurance runner in all of this. We have all been through some truly awful devastating dark times of fear worry sheer desperation etc and wondering whether or not we would ever make it to the other side with all of this. One has to believe the fact that you cannot in fact control this condition, were not responsible for it either and your role is to respond to it when it rears its ugly head - which is what you are doing. I have carried around so much guilt and pain in that I have felt totally responsible for CAUSING this, for being inadequate in dealing with it etc etc - i'm sure you know the story - you dont have to have anyone beat yourself up over this - you do the best job of it to yourself. Once I made the mental shift and BELIEVED in my bones that I or my partner did not cause this - then I could redirect this wasted energy onto other more positive things. It is so important - in fact vital - to look after YOURSELVES as well your son's welfare - but this is hardly ever mentioned by healthcare professionals!.

I don't claim to have the answers that you may need here - but I have tried to manage this condition the best with what I have done with what is available to me and what has been PROVEN to work (or at least help).

I use 2 types of steroids - very potent and potent to try and get the inflammation down, i Use the rigoursly and aggressively. We use only the steroid ointment variety - doesnt sting like the creams do!.
WE use antibiotics frequently - it is a pain to have to do this - but it is a fact of life - her skin gets frequently infected.
We use antihistamines (nonsedating ones in the day and often a sedating one at night.....i now have no issues with sedating my girl to allow her to get to sleep like i used to - it is important and vital for her to sleep even if we need to use drugs to do it).
WE use bath oils (often use the antibacterial one as helps to keep staph infections down too) and gentle baby type shampoos for cleansing and 50/50 mix (soft paraffin and liquid paraffin mix - can make this stuff yourself easily enough) for emollients.
We talk more about the pain and despair we feel about all of this - but at the same time - we do lots of FUN things together to make up for the crap times.
She still scratches, itches like mad, has broken bleeding skin, sleep disturbances - but we are doing the best we can - we know at this stage that there is no magic fix - her eczema is not substance or animal related - it is just there ALL the blasted time !! so we are doing all that we can and also reassuring her of this as well. Talk to your son about how he is feeling and let him know that you are in touch with how he is feeling too - it helps you both to feel less alone and more as a team.
Anyhow....if you need any more info....let me know and there are plenty of people and good support here to help you with this from all over the world. even if you just want to vent about this....feel free.....you are not alone and we understand!!!.

By ANTHONY on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 11:21 am:

I would like to thank all who responded to my message which was posted last month,all your comments are greatly appriciated.

I have a Question has anyone used a product called F.R.E.E.D.E.R.M ?? I have ordered some for my son from the US in desperation and was wondering does it work.
Once i get it and use it,I will post my findings on this message board.

By Vic on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 08:09 pm:

Hi Anthony,

I hope with all the admissions your son has had that you have a good care package from a dermatology nurse and consultant? I hate to give any advice to someone who has obviously had a lot of care from the health services - I can't think what they won't have suggested already?

But for what it's worth, here goes:

100% cotton clothes
non-bio washing powder only. TINY amounts
double rinse everything you wash
wash bedding at 60%
remove carpets and put down lino/laminate in bedroom (and everywhere else?)
wash curtains regularly
no pets
no soap or shampoo
rigid emollient regime - 2 hourly
eczema sleep suits at night
relaxation exercises (good evidence these work for children to avoid the stressed itching cycle)
dietician advice
avoid having perfumes/chemical cleaners in the house
wear long trousers/long sleeved t-shirts outdoors in pollen season
rewards for not habit scratching

Those are all the ones I can think of!

You have my heartfelt sympathy for everything you must be going through.

By the way, I assume you use an emollient or bath oil with an antimicrobial element if your son gets repeated infections? I am just trying to think of everything, but I'm sure all it will tell you is that you know everything that can be suggested!

By Kez on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 08:58 pm:

Dear Anthony, know exactly what you and your son is going through. my son is 5yrs and for the first 3 yrs suffered so much with eczema and was constantly full bodied Wetwrapped. Stress, worry, the sound of scratching, helplessness etc. He is a lot better now, but not out the woods yet. We found also that food had a tremendous factor in his eczema condition. I had a suspicion that certain foods contributed to his suffering. After consulting a Hospital Dietition, she advised 'Food Elimination'. Briefly it involves in our case - of starting feeding him with 'neutral foods' like peaches, potatoes, plain ready salted crisps, plain chicken (no gravy) etc, not dairy, eggs, tomato, additives, flavour enhansers etc for a short while and monitoring carefully. Interesting that she put him on Soya milk, but found he was intolorant to this- red and itching so much. Now on Rice Milk with calcium. To cut a long story short- after a while she advised adding one food at a time eg: plain rice and again monitoring. Its a long slow process! To be advised by a doctor or dietition. Dust, carpets, pets, household chemicals like air freshoners, polish, sprays etc dont help my son. Fairy Liquid washing liquid for clothes with extra rinse, no fabric conditioner. Sorry if I have gone on and on - sorry if I have confused you!! But you never know - some or nothing of the above may help your little one. Keep smiling

By Josie on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 05:54 pm:

Chris - I really sympathise with you. Like you I have a young son who has severe eczema and constantly requires antibiotics and potent steroids. We have tried so many different treatments in the past 2 years to help our son, from chinese herbal remedies and homeopathy to hospital treatments that include steroids and wet wrapping. Personally, we have found wet wraps to be the most effective treatment so far for our son, except he gets very upset having to wear them.

Using a daily fish oil supplement together with evening primrose oil has at least improved the texture of his skin (but not the eczema!)- before his skin felt like sandpaper. We use "Eye Q" which has fish oils, evening primrose and vitamin E combined. I also give my son "ABCdophilus" each morning, which is a probiotic to help with all the anitibiotics he requires.

We also bought our son special eczema pyjama suits with mitts that are made out of organic cotton. They are expensive to buy but worth the world.

Sorry I have't got anything more concrete - still searching for the answer ourselves. Good Luck.

By ANTHONY on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 03:37 pm:

CAN ANYONE HELP?
MY SON IS 5 YEARS OLD AND IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE ECZEMA FOR THE LAST 3YEARS.
HE HAS BEEN HOSPITALISED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THAT PERIOD,
THE ANTIBIOTICS AND STEROID CREAMS SEEM TO HAVE NO EFFECT AND WE THINK HE IS GETTING IMMUNE TO THEM.
THE ITCHING AND SCRATCHING IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL ESPECIALY AT NIGHT AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. ANY COMMENTS OR HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRICATED.

By CR on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 10:52 pm:

Chris, a while ago you asked about bubbles/bubble bath, we have had the same problem my 3 year old can't usually tolerate any bubble bath but she has a 7 year old sister with perfect skin who loves her bubbles. Difficult situation really because I can't deprive my older daughter but the youngest sobs because she cant have any and obviously struggles to understand why at her age. However!! I have found a brand called Infaderm I got it from Boots baby section, its colour and fragrant free and specially formulated for sensative skin and ecsema. I was a bit reluctant when I read the price 4.75 per quite small bottle!! but it does produce lovely bubbles and has lasted really well and now they can enjoy bubbles together! In the past our little girl has reacted to everything we have tried but so far this has had no affect on her skin at all, there are also shampoo's etc but we havn't tried them. I'll leave it with you, it might be worth every penny if it works for you as well as it has for us! good luck CR

By CR on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:46 pm:

Sarah,I really feel for you. Our little girl is now three and still suffers but when I look back on her baby photo's I just want to cry.Her cheeks would bleed, when she could talk she'd say please help me mummy make it stop hurting.It breaks my heart to think of others on the same dreadful rollercoaster.However, we found she has loads of food allergies which certainly didn't help.She experienced anaphylatic shock at six months to egg, and again nine months to bananas she cant eat any fruit at all without hives and was allergic to dairy, soya, wheat, etc etc.It made me sick because I did it all by the book, I dont smoke, drink I fed her myself for the first four months and we all eat v.healthy.Our main source of support is at our local hospital allergy clinic in Warwickshire, we have a dietician and skin specialist who have been absolutely fantastic.We have to follow a strict diet but have now overcome the less serious food allergies by re-introducing very small amounts until her body did not reject or react to the food. Sadly we seem stuck with the egg/banana but live in hope! my daughter has certainly improved since she was a baby & we have all learned how to cope and avoid the "triggers" as much as possible.Try and to get some sleep, whenever you can because being shattered makes everything worse we have all felt at our witts end at 1 & 2 in the morning! I'm sure it will get better for you, until then be assured you are definately not on your own, keep your chin up! CR

By CR on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:27 pm:

Hi Vic, thank you for your advice, I will contact the companies you mentioned. We got a pair for 2.50 from The Healthy House but they were horrible.Best found so far are Cotton Compfort's but at 16.00 for 3 pairs they don't come cheap!They are purley white, which look great for the first five minutes but like any three year old she can't keep her hands out of mischief so within an hour they were not so white!Now having trouble getting them looking clean because she suffers if I use strong washing powders etc.still she doesn't complain about wearing them, I have gone past caring about the strange looks other people give and it has made them a little better. thank you, CR.

By Vic on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 04:20 am:

Hi CR,

There is a good company called TheSounderSleepCo, or Allergy Best Buys - they have been fantastic, and their gloves are a bit cheaper than elsewhere. With regards to money, your post didn't say if you were UK based. If you are I do hope you are claiming Disability Living Allowance, if you give substantial care during the night the allowance comes to about £350 a month - which makes a huge difference to us and means that we can buy the clothes that my son needs, as well as covers some of the additional washing etc etc costs. If anyone wants more info, let me know and I'll give the numbers and hints etc etc.

By Cora on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 10:42 pm:

Sarah, I'm so sorry about Isabelle. I wish I could comfort you in some way. *HUGS* You are definitely not alone as many of us have gone through what you are going through or is still in the process of much of the same. My son is now 2 1/2 and has trouble sleeping at night with his constant unconscious scratching, or rubbing of his eyes, ears, knee, and feet. It's no fun to wake up to pillow cases and sheets soaked with blood and exudate. He had full blown eczema at 3 months old, fully allergic to milk until 1 year old. We fed him soy milk instead. He scratched himself from his head to his toes and had occassional little red dots all over his chest and belly. It was horrible. I don't think we slept a wink for 4 months straight. The double gloving of his hands didn't help. It made him get nasty infections and he also knew how to rip his gloves off. It was on and off antibiotics. The saving grace for us was the Aquaphor tub mixed with 2.5% hydrocortisone. We also loved using Aveeno, and still do. The eczema spots will weep yellow exudate. We would wash it off 2x a day and reapply the meds. The antihistamine Atarax or Adarax helped for awhile. We still use Benadryl on real bad itchy days/nights. It will give us 2-4 hours of relief. You need to try to find a way to sleep better. No one can function well without sleep. Do you take turns co-sleeping with the baby? Do you have relatives or good friends that might be willing to take the baby for a few hours during the day so you can get some rest? Your baby will get better as she gets older. I feel so bad for our little ones. I only wish there's a miracle cure to end their suffering. My son really isn't suffering much from eczema as it is scratching out of habit or food allergy. It's a vicious cycle. The scratching turns the sore spots into eczema. Then infection occurs. Then antibiotics, then healing and the scratching resumes.

By sarah on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 02:02 pm:

my daughter isabelle now 9 mths presented with facial atopic eczema when very unwell with a urine infection.This then settled down for a few weeks when she had received antibiotic treatment.A few weeks later it re appeared and for the past 4mths she has rarely been free. an entire month of no sleep or up to 2hrs followed-that was a good night!Weening was a nigtmare if food got on her face it would break down in a matter of hours.I was seeing different gps every day some saying diprobase(little Help) then hydrocortisone then double bse-her face blistered and she itched so much she bled and I took her to A and e that night it was so bad.
Then I was advised to use vaseline -nightmare her face broke down so much it wept and no creams would stick at all.I saw a dermatologist that week urgent(and private)who prescribed aveeno moisturiser-which i use every 30 mins day and night !!!!sometimes!a non steroidal cream ELIDEL and modrasone for her body.She has been having vallergan sedation/anti histamine 5-10mls every night since and still itches thru that but nothing like before.She has had 7 courses of antibiotics usually augmentin in the past 4 mths.Dairy produts are a worry-but scared to eliminate at this stage really and skin has improved still on them at times.2 weeks ago she had a pimple rash appear all over her body which turned eczema like in appearance yet another course of antibiotics and this is less raised but remains covered so it seem s like its now all over.She sleeps in cot next to me with light on and as soon as itching begins I hold her hands and we just cope by doing everything to control itching and any break down.
Any more i can do -feel less alone since readin comments worried about vallergan now but cant let her face get like that again.

By ruth on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 05:43 am:

Carla - great idea about the bodysuit for the littlies - haven't even thought about that idea of putting it on back to front...good thinking!!!
If your mum is into sewing - why not try and just get some nice soft cotton stretch material from your local craft/dress shop - trace your daughters hands onto a piece of paper and use this as a template for the gloves. Alternately as you say - can put the mitten on the hand first, cut a little thumbhole out on the side of a piece of tubigrip/tubifast and put this over the mitten so it allows the thumb to pop out the side as normal and still can have the full use of the hand.. As far as the sleep deprivation goes - am well and truly there with you on that one....as is everyone else here...you certainly aren't on your own! hope things go better for you, ruth

By CR. on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 09:44 pm:

Ruth thanks so much for your advice, I was so sad to read how many people are in the same boat as us and yet so relieved we are not alone! I will try your suggestions. I have tried a few sites today I can't believe they vary anything from 2.50 for a 'sample pair' to 16.00 plus 4.00 postage! It is definitly worth shopping around and trying to make your own. My mum makes her mittens for nightime out of two sizes of tubifast which I tie to her vest when her body doesn't need wrapping. Another good tip for babies who un-pop their sleepsuits to itch is to put it on back to front - it looks a bit odd but makes it almost impossible to un-pop! desparately tired mums will try any desparate measures! My daughter has slept through the night probably 12 times in the last long long 3 years!!! Like most mums I am open to any suggestions if it means a few hours itch free sleep! thanks again,I will keep in touch, Carla.

By ruth on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 02:28 pm:

CR - if you want cotton gloves for a 3 yrs old - may have to try a specialist maker e.g. cotton comfort in the uk - or else ( and i know this isnt' the same but we have used this) is larger size cotton socks over the hands.
What I have found works really well - despite whether you use gloves/socks/mittens is to completely coat the hands in a thick layer of moisturiser first, then put the hand into the glove/sock/mitten, pull the hand back out - recoat with another THICK layer of moisturiser and put the hand back into the same glove/sock/mitten. I have found by doing it this way - the skin doesn't stick at all as you have already coated the inside of the glove/sock/mitten with moisturiser already and the extra layer of moisturiser that you apply soaks into the skin really well - i have found this works as good as wet dressings (because essentially the hand is covered in moisture and soaks it all up). We do this every night now at bedtime - our girl has really really bad hands and feet - so i do the same using a pair of socks on her feet. She hates wet clothing - but will tolerate this - so whatever works!.
I am sure there are other people who could make gloves. Have you thought about going to your local dressmaker and seeing if they could do it for you - just buy some soft cotton material.
I managed to buy some soft cotton gloves from our local chemist - was the smallest size and still way too big (our girl is 6) - but i use these anyway. Could always even look at doing this - just snip the ends of the glove finger tips to length and stich and see if that works?? - could always buy a bit of stick on velcro and stick this on the gloves to wrap them around and fasten them - wouldn't be hard to do.
i know they say that necessity is the mother of invention - but i think that mothers are the necessity of invention sometimes!!

By ruth on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 02:11 pm:

chris - sorry for late reply - i don't think you can get bubble baths without it containing a detergent of some sort in it - but what you could try and do instead is give your 2yrs old one of those little containers withe a hoop in it full of bubble stuff so that they can blow bubbles whilst sitting in the bath - that way they can have bubbles - but just that they stay out of the water and float around instead. if you save this just for bath time - then hopefully will be a happy treat for them to have and will make it a more enjoyable experience all around!!

By CR. on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 01:48 pm:

My 3 year old daughter suffers terribly with eczema, especially at night, looking through the messages I have picked up a few tips thanks! Her hands are terrible, we've been advised to stop any soap, use eumovate and immolient and to buy small gloves for her to wear whilst playing with contact allergies ie playdough, sand, paint etc.
Does anyone know where to get cotton wet wrap type gloves for a three year old? Thank you.

CR.

By chris on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 04:29 pm:

my son has eczema but loves bubbles. please does any one know of a product we can use for water play and baths that produces bubbles that won't leave his skin blistering. its hard to explain to a 2yr old that big sister can play with bubbles but you can't

By Lisa on Monday, February 21, 2005 - 09:36 am:

Thanks Ruth and Pjgreek for your responses.

I'm going to try the storybook cd Ruth, good idea, don't know why i didn't think of that? Just so used to reading her stories myself i guess. She has definitely been sleeping better lately, much better since i've used my own potion for a few weeks, her skin absorbs so much more than just the epiderm alone, which mostly goes on her tubifast suit! So, i'll keep on keeping on with that.

As for the wee wee Ruth, i only used that to relieve her really bad itching, and her skin is actually not crusted or inflamed, only on her feet and hands, which is all improving since i'm using betnovate twice a day, down to once a day now as its nearly gone.

And thanks for the advice about the use of steroids, it is frightening, and it helps to know that we're all in the same boat. I worry about her future as i'm sure you all do, you know, about damaging her skin, but it is so wonderful to see her happy, so, fingers crossed, don't want to speak too soon, as i keep doing that!! will keep you posted.

Take care everyone.
Love, Lisa xxxxxx

By pjgreek on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 04:50 am:

Lisa
Pleased you found the CD Player - I remember to spending hours watching videos and singing lullabies in the early hrs. I didnt sleep for 3 years ! My 3.5 year old boy has now been sleeping through for 6 months - After a very very long battle since birth his eczema is now under control.
I would emphasise Ruths advice - use steroid cream to get the skin under control - we learned the hard way after avoiding steroid our sons skin condition deterioated so badly it broke all over and became hugely infected with MRSA he had to take oral steroid for 13 mths.
If you are near london get a referral to Great Ormond Street they were fantastic at helping us. OUr son is still greased up twice a day to keep his skin moist but he is off all steroids now and the whole stack of creams and drugs he used to have.
I would also look at your daughters/ your bed - is it new ?. When we bought our son a new plain wooden bed and antiallergy mattress ( total cost £250) his sleeping improved dramatically. We realised both our bed and his bed must have been damp, mouldy and full of dust mites which must have aggravated his condition.
There is light at the end of the tunnel - keep strong and don't be afraid to use steroid cream.

Hope you have a good night sleep soon !

By ruth on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 12:16 pm:

Good to hear from you Lisa - cd players are a godsend in my book - we don't leave home without them!!. you could also try a story book cd - sometimes they can help because the kids concentrate or listen to the story which then helps them focus on something else and helps them get off to sleep - depends on the individual.
As far as the urine goes - i would be very careful applying that to the skin - i know you say it appears to be helping - but considering urine is a collection of waste products plus some bacteria - its probably not something you want to be using on raw irritated skin because it is likely to lead to a potential infection. Consider trying a product containing urea in it e.g Nutraplus, Dermadrate (not sure but i think this does have urea in it) - as it is the urea in the product that acts as a moisture absorbing/trapping agent which helps to hydrate the skin. Urine contains urea - and if you use an off the shelf product containing this - it will be much safer and also have a higher urea content in it. Just a warning though - urea can be stingey so go easy with an inital application. A lot of people say it can be quite effective in hydrating the skin - but tends to be better tolerated in dry intact skin rather than broken irritated skin. But you never know unless you try it.....just keep plugging along and use the steroid creams to get some control over it. I don't like using them either - but i am now even going to use an extremely high potency one for my girl because i have painfully realised that the damage caused by not using them is far far far far....much worse than that caused by using them. I have found that weaker ones which don't get control are a waste of time,effort and money. Have to match the condition with the treatment. All the best and hope you get some much needed sleep SOOOON, ruth

By Lisa on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 11:31 am:

Hi Ruth, Kim & Vic - thanks so much for your messages. I am definitely going to get a cool air mist humidifier thanks for that Kim, i actually don't have the heater on in the bedroom so that it is cool, but i will definitely try it, my dermatologist did suggest putting a damp towel on a radiator, but i don't want to put the radiator on in the bedroom, so, i'll give that a go, hope they're not too expensive.

And Vic, yes i can wet-wrap my little one after a lovely bath and grease her up to the eyeballs and do it all by the book, following all the specialists advice to the letter - you can guarantee she'll be dry before she falls asleep and be scratching just as vehemently as ever, so its utterly useless and that's even with antihistamines too - NOTHING works here.

Ruth - i just got my little one to release her dummy at xmas - i gave it to her about six months ago as a comfort when she woke up in the middle of the night having taken a layer of skin off her shoulders and arms and was in utter agony and screaming - a dummy was the only comfort as i couldn't hold hr she was in so much pain, thankfully though, Santa took it on xmas eve, and she was not happy but accepted it - and i felt so bad as it was the only thing that could get her to settle at night, only it had also become during the rest of the day too, so it did get out of hand.

Oh and i have got a recently purchased cd player in the bedroom now, and a lullaby cd on it with loads of songs on, and i wish i'd thought of this before, as i used to have to sing 'lullaby and goodnight' ninety million times a night, i used to even nod off half way through a line of it and she'd say 'hey!' and i'd have to wake myself up, continue scratching and try to sing, when i just couldn't even stay conscious! - so the cd player is on and she's still in bed with me, thats just the least of my worries - i will try putting it on repeat though, maybe that will help.

I am so utterly beside myself, i've been using her own urine on her itchy bits lately, and surprisingly it has been helping - she doesn't know what it is as i just say its special lotion, and luckily it doesn't smell if you keep it in the fridge - anyway, it helps her itch 'sometimes' but not others, she is raking her little hands to bits just now, backs of her hands and her wrists are like old leather, it makes me want to cry, so i decided to apply some betnovate this morning, hope that helps, i still haven't been able to take her swimming, its my total aim, to be able to take that baby swimming, and she's so patient - if only she could stop scratching her skin could heal - why isn't there a product that does this? i'm so sick and tired of even the word 'eczema' if only if only if only.

Thanks everyone, take care xxxx
Lisa xxx

By Sharon on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 09:00 pm:

Hello John is 6 on Saturday and even though I feel I have a lot of experence with eczema (both my older boys (6 and 41/2) have had it since birth I am finding out I know nothing as they get older!!!!!! Does anybody have the same problems
*Smelling bad. John had started to smell really bad. He bathes/showers twice a day but I find that it does no good. Have tried to put tea tree oil in his bath oil to no affect.
*Heat. How do you wetwrap in the heat when the bandages dry out so fast and then the bandages just make him hotter. When at home we just rewet or let him run under the hose but since he's now at school I'm finding it a problem.
*Warts. About 18m ago he had 1 wart on his thumb tried to get it taken off but the dr said no I don't think it needs to come off, now he is covered with them on his hands and arms, small ones on his face and now starting to come up on his feet. Have been advised to try all the wart removal systems but they haven't even budged and seem to give him a reaction. What can we do as it's bad enough that he has the eczema but is covered in warts too.
*Clothing. Has anybody a cheaper way to get the tubifast bandage garments? I have tried but they are $61 Australian each item or my MIL has gotten them fron the UK but they were about 20pounds each. I make most of his clothing and suities (wetsut swimsuit patern made in Tshirt material)and long sleeved under vests and longjohns but the material is a bit heavier than the tubifast stuff, alot stronger too as he ripped them to shreds the first night.
Apart from that I think that we are all doing well and in regards to co sleeping if it means you can get a resonable nights sleep DO IT!! I fell asllep at the wheel while driving John to a drs appointment, as he was in his own bed and I was up to him so many times a night, so now neigh sayers be damned.
Sharon

By ruth on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 01:18 pm:

Lisa - how about trying a fan on overnight in the bedroom - just put it on low and get it to rotate around the room so that it isn't constantly blowing air onto your girl. We get some terribly hot nights here so can definitely relate to this - it definitely helps. As far as what Vic was saying about the cd's etc - we have a small cd player which we put on repeat and that plays the same cd every night - it has become part of her settling routine. A couple of times have forgotten to hit the repeat button - and you guessed it - who comes wandering into our bedroom in a very cranky mood scratching away telling us off about this in the small hours of the morning!. We also have a tv/dvd player ( i remember saying that i would never do this ....but reality bites here) - and so she can watch her favourite programs in her own room when she wants to - makes the room her own so it has become a lot easier to get her to stay in it (she now locks me out of it!). I also replaced one of the 60 watt globes with a 15 watt globe in one of the lights outside her room so it acts as a night light. It keeps the 'dragons' away (hmm i was wondering if she was including me in that little discussion of hers!!). Also painted her room in her favourite colours (pretty bright) - but that also helps to keep the dragons and itches away apparently.....who am i to argue as long as it works!. Every child is unique and their needs change over time and according to their level of development - we are still battling for our girl to give up her dummy (she is now 6 yrs! - just a comfort thing - and we have rules about this too).. Its just a matter of persistence and trialling out different things. But when all else fails at night and she is in a lot of discomfort and pain - I medicate her with a good dose of vallergan forte (which sometimes helps her to sleep) and panadol. You could also try ceterizine (Zyrtec) - which is a nondrowsy formulation - but at night the sedating ones are better. Sometimes this doesn't work either and you just have to kiss another nights sleep away. Its hard work......but just hang in there
Hi Kim - yes have been off doing other things over christmas etc - new years was good - just the way i like it - nice and quiet!...good to hear from you! speak soon, ruth

By Kim on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 10:37 pm:

Vic has a great idea about the tv by the bed, although I know many pediatricians are against it. I know it used to help me (and I am a grown up!) when I had late night flare ups.
Another thing to consider is the heaters in the house could be drying up the wraps faster than normal as well. You may want to consider leaving a cool mist air humidifier in the room at nights since the additional air circulation from heaters can make eczema symptoms worse at night as well and may it will also help the wet wraps last a tad longer.

Hey Ruth! Its been a long time. Hope you had a great New Years! And I like the name of the dating agency

By Vic on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 03:01 pm:

Hi Lisa,

I'm interested in what you say about the wet wraps drying out because your child is so hot. F is just the same. I really struggled with getting the temperature and bedding right for him. I'm a very cold person and I think I over-wrapped him for months. He now sleeps in a high summer weight sleeping bag and a mitten sleepsuit, and that's enough for him, even with the below-freezing temperatures here at the moment and a very cold house. He has slept through for four nights, the longest he has ever slept in his life. His eczema is terrible but I think we've got the temperature right!

About the tv thing. I wonder whether listening to a story on a tape or CD in bed would be a possibility? I used to use this myself when my sleep was bad.

Hope it gets better for you.

By ruth on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 01:03 pm:

Lisa - one of the reasons why you notice the scratching episodes disappearing when she watches tv/videos is that she gets distracted in a positive manner - so her attention shifts from her skin to the tv. Ah yes - i still get the sleep interruptions from my girl at all hours of the night with a 'please mummy can you itch my back'. I swear that on various occassions I have almost got to the point where i felt like i should design an 'itch machine' which i could leave in her bedroom that would do this for me. she could then just switch it on and off when needed!. But part of the difficulty at night too is the comfort factor that only sleeping parents can bring to their kids. I developed a sense of detachment from eczema after 3 am - if i was awoken by her voice - i would just be in robot mode. i would lay down a rule that i would scratch her back for 5 mins and that that was it - she wasn't to wake me again for this. i talked about this each day when she was awake - reminding her of mummy's eczema scratching rule - and i have found that like with a lot of things with kids - it didn't work overnight - but i did notice a pattern where i wasn't being woken ALL night EVERY night. Perhaps you could look at laying down some boundaries about what is acceptable in this dept - I know of course you have to adapt it to their level of development - but it is like any other rule. Reward the good behaviour i.e. not waking you every night and thereby you are also teaching them how to settle themselves - rather than encouraging a dependence upon you to settle them. If they don't wake you then reward this behaviour the following day and make a big deal of it. Its not just about the disease process itself - but teaching children how to manage and handle it for themselves. ALWAYS EASIER SAID THAN DONE....because you have no friends at 4 am!

As far as a dating agency goes - maybe could call it the 'Starting from Scratch' agency.......sorry! lol. yeah i know - dont give up my day job!

By Lisa on Monday, January 24, 2005 - 04:43 am:

hi everyone, i'm right there with you, my daughter is 5 and has always slept with me, but her eczema appeared as dry circular areas of skin as a baby and only developed into full blown eczema when she was about 3. We are sittin up now its 4.48 am. because i just didn't see the point in scratching constantly after the second hour passed - i have to scratch her so she can try to sleep, but its incessant, tried everything, you name it, just when i think i've made a breakthrough, i realise i haven't, every night is a gamble, nothing makes sense, there's no rhyme or reason, the wet wrapping doesn't help her night itching, the garments are dry within an hour as she's such a hot child - surely there must be something to stop this agony for her? and does anyone know that why it is, since we've been up out of bed and downstairs watching videos, that she hasn't scratched at all? i have run out of ideas, her skin appearance has improved very much, and our dermatologist says now that she has 'mild eczema but it is extensive' so steroid creams are basically applied to her whole body, top to bottom, still using hydrocortisone, but for months now had to use betnovate, moving down to eumovate and then cutting that down, eventually and now onto hydrocortisone, and her feet and ankles have been the most stubborn - thanks for listening,

love
lisa xx

By Loraine on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

P.S Our daughter who is now 4 sleeps on her own now, so they get there in the end, eczema or not!!

By Loraine on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 12:55 pm:

Dear Vic,

I think co-sleeping with a child with severe eczema is a good thing. Unfortunately it didnt work out like that with us because by the time my son had developed eczema at the age of 3 months our eczema free 2 and a half year old was already in our bed !!! So unfortunately lots of sleepless nights were had, but i wished i had put him in the bed next to me. At the end of the day, yes they might get hot from your body heat but you can adjust their clothing/bedding and you are next to them to comfort them and care for them, they need and deserve it.
I cant recommend enough the eczema garments from www.eczemaclothing.com, the mittened t-shirts are a must for any baby/child to wear at night. Our battle with eczema is coming to an end now as our son is so much better. I wet wrap him every night and dry wrap his top half during the day, he hasnt had a flare up for months now and at last I can enjoy him as a person, not an illness.

By jane on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

Our experience was that I used to get up so many times in the night that it was easier to have Tom in bed with us when he was smaller. Sometimes you could "catch the scratch" before it became a full blown possesed scratch attack.

We were like that until Tom was about two and then we bought him a double bed and I would get into bed with him. This made our bedroom seem our own again and my husband could have the shock of being on his own with me again!!!!!! Tom would normally manage a couple of hours before the itching would start then i would go in with him.

Friends would be horrified when I said what we were doing. Then again they didn't have a child that would scratch themselves to bits in the night or who would need regreasing every hour etc etc.

Another thing we done that we were advised was a complete "NO-NO" was to keep mittens on Tom all the time in bad days so he didn't itch as much. I would sew them on the end of t-shirts. We would read how this would harm development etc. I can honestly say he is now six and it hasn't harmed him at all. We used to be told to distract him by singing playing games. There is only so much distracting you can do day after day, month after month before you run out of ideas. You can buy gloves now which make a difference but I'm not sure how small they do them. Tom was about three when he started waering gloves. They were a god send.

You have to do what is best for you and your family. Going without sleep is awful and after a while it really can "Screw you up".

Like I say tom is now Six and actually sleeps on his own in his double bed a lot of the time on his own. There are still nights I end up going thru. He has been seeing a Cranial Osteopath and this has helped loads with his sleep. Alot better than Vallergan Forte and piriton.

Good luck
jane x

By Vic on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 08:47 pm:

CO-SLEEPING? I'd be interested in how many of us are mangaging sleep problems by co-sleeping. My experience has been that I was advised against it (they said it would make my baby hotter and more itchy) but after months of trying not to, I have found the only way for any of us to get a decent night's sleep is to co-sleep. We have a bedside cot. F, like most toddlers with Eczema, wakes up to 12 times a night, but with us there he seems to go back to sleep more quickly. When he is distressed it means he can snuggle up and get some comfort, and sometimes a rub on his back seems to distract him from the itchiness. Has anyone else been discouraged from co-sleeping by medics? Are we the only ones doing it? And how many years do you think it will go on for (I draw the line at anything more than 10!) He's 1 year old now.

By ruth on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 12:41 pm:

maria - both phenergan and vallergan are antihistamines - we use vallergan forte (more concentrated form of vallergan) nightly to help control the itch - but we use it in a higher dose for sedation purposes - which is more effective for her because her eczema is extrememly itchy. it may well be that you were prescribed a lower dose and as a result it may not been as effective as it could have been??? often the itching and suffering of this condition is so underrated by the dr's. I also use pain relief medications e.g. panadol to help ease some of the pain - as i think for our case it might helpalong when i give the vallergan. i do understand what you are going through. wet dressing are great to help the skin repair if your child will tolerate it- if they dont like them then just try and shovel on heaps of moisturiseron the skin and put damp socks on followed by dry ones over the top. get them to help with itand try and turn it into a game with some rewards if they do put them on e.g. favourite lolly - WHATEVER WORKS!. I tell my firl that the bugs cant bite her feet if we put this stuff on it - that idea worked for a while then we had to be more creative. hope it helps!

By jane on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 02:27 pm:

They are supposed to help them sleep and help with the itching but to be honest they are not always as great as you hope they are going to be. We were told by our doc's about wet wrapping and also by the hospital. you smother the area with emollient and then put a wet tubifast bandage over it followed by a dry one. It cools the skin down and helps with the itching. Have you tried www.eczema.org that is quite a good website its the national eczema society they are really worth joining.

Another thing that helps Tom is a ice pack wrapped in a teatowel rested on the itchy bit. May be of some use to you.

Take care

By Maria on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 12:07 pm:

Hi Jane,

Are Piriton and Vallergan types of Antihistamines? No I have not tried them but I have tried Phenergan another one and it didn't make any difference. Do Wet Wraps have to be got on prescription or can I get them in Chemist. Worth a try. Thanks for your help. Maria.

By jane on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 07:56 am:

Hello Maria

Are you able to wet wrap her feet? I don't know if it would help at all and you've probably tried it. Also has your doctor prescribed Piriton or Vallergan? Like you I would be rich if i had a pound for the times I have had "Its only eczema thats not serious" they should just try living with it sometimes.

Take care
Jane

By Maria on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 11:22 pm:

Hi,

My 3 and half year old girl has had Eczema since birth but it has greatly improved over the years and she now no longer has it on her legs but she does have it on her feet. Every night it is a nightmare - pattern is : goes to sleep for hr wakes up scratching legs and feet non-stop. I put on cream get her back to sleep, an hr later the same thing, this goes on until about 3 or 4 before she finely goes off til about 7.30am. My husband is shattered for work and I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I pity her so much but she is very stubborn at times. We have spent hundreds on different products and sleeping suits etc. but to no avail. If I had a Euro for everytime I heard 'she'll grow out of it' id be a wealthy woman. Take Care. Maria

By Freddie on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 08:48 pm:

Hi Christina,

I hope that you have found the answer to your query about why your son itches so much in the night - the answer is that histamine levels in the body rises at night. Strange but true.

My son is now 2 and 8 months and the cycle of sleep you describe is exactly the same.

How is your son now - I see the date of your email is December 2000.

Please let me know if you have found any solutions.

I did take my son to Avene in the South of France this October to bathe in the waters there - he slept most nights after the first week for 12 hours!! Maybe we'll move out there.

Take care

Freddie

By shrun on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 06:48 pm:

I just wanted to tell about one thing that worked for us with pajamas, we had my son in Cotton Comfort but they kept falling apart and were very expensive. Now my 2 year-old son's grandma sews socks into the hand part of 100 percent cotton footie pj's (which we get on sale at the Gap, especially during the summer). This seems to work very well for him, so he can't scratch at night.

That is a great tip about the fan! Thank you, i'm going to try it.

By smiling on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 07:41 pm:

I read somewhere that a fan on keeps them from sweating and itching. Tried it on our 15 month old son and he has almost cleared completely. We have an osolating fan on 24/7.

By TK on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 03:48 am:

Julia,

Have you tried that formula called Nutramagen? It is specially formulated for allergic/sensitive children. The taste and oder is nasty but the baby gets used to it. My daughter would not drink it at first and I cried. I breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and then had to go part time breastfeeding/part time formula. I cried when she hated that Nutramagen but I kept trying. Eventually she took it. It helped her eczema...did not eliminate it but helped it. I think that would be more nutritionally sound for someone as young as 6 months (probably better than rice milk). When my daughter turned one year, then I switched to formulated rice milk (Enriched Rice Dream). I stopped breast feeding completely at 9 months. My daughter is 19 months. She is very slowly getting better (or I am getting better at caring for her?). I have learned so much over the many months. Her eczema showed up at 3 months but she had very dry skin since birth. I never ever did that controlled crying with her because she would just scratch her self -- that was worse than anything. Just hang in there. Day by day, somehow we manage.

By cookies6 on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 03:15 pm:

I am new on this website my 6 year old daughter has eczema real bad. Been dealing with this since she was 1 year old. All the info about cotton pjs are just the start for me.Thanks for the info that i didnt know anything about.I hope she grows out of this real soon but i am not going to get my hopes up too high.

By Kez on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 11:34 am:

Yes Julia, thats the Rice milk my sons dietition reccomends. She also advices that he has added Vitamins for Calcium. Please ask your doctor,as depends on childs age, how much calcium aday they have.

By Julia on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 09:53 pm:

hi
thanks for the advice, I heard about using rice milk before, is it ok to give to a baby so young? I have bought some Rice Dream with added calcium but haven't given any yet to her, is this the sort of thing you are talking about?

By Jane on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 05:32 pm:

The easiest way we found to cope with the sleeping was to get our son a double bed. I get in with him rather than there being three of us in our bed. Dont worry what other people say its how you cope with it best. I have friends who frown because I still end up sleeping with our son but if i didnt I would be up and down all night. He is nearly five now. Plus they dont know what its like to have a child that itchs all the time and keep waking themselves up. Take care.

By ruth on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 02:28 pm:

dear julia, flare ups are common and part of the course with eczema - so don't go blaming yourself for anything here. they often happen for reasons unknown to any of us - so just have to look at ways to manage them. i'm remembering back with my own girl that she suffered badly from facial eczmea around the age of your child - and i think that teething plus the fact that they are learing to wipe their hands across their face contributed to her eczema in this case as the saliva and mucus tended to really irritate the skin. have you tried using low dose steroid cream on her face and perhaps a slight smear of vaseline to act as a barrier???. also i found that using panadol helped to relieve some discomfort from scratching - also if it is really bothering her then maybe ask your doctor for some antihistamine to help relieve the itching - which you could keep for when you really need to. also keep your baby's nails short as this will help, short tepid baths and also some steroid creams to help get the inflammation down on the other areas of the body. ask your doctor to link you in with other specialists e.g. dieticians/allergists to help you sort out non-allergy provoking diets etc. do what you can manage with your girl as far as sleeping goes and don't worry about what everyone else is doing - remember they don't have kids with eczema. you often have to adopt different strategies to manage this. if it is easier for you to manage this way then do it - you HAVE to look after yourself as well or else everything folds around you. if you feel bad about the sleeping business then just thinbk of me - i've just got my daughter out of our bed and onto a foldout bed in our room and she is.....4.5 years! (and she still sneaks back in!!!). its ok. all the best - from a very experienced eczema parent sufferer, ruth

By TK on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 04:55 am:

Julia,
I have a 19 month old girl and I lived through just what you are experiencing. It will get better! My daughter still does not sleep through the night. Each night sometime between 1 and 3 am she joins us in bed. It is the best way for us all to get sleep. While your 6 month old is in someone else's care during the day (when you are working) does she do alright? An alternative milk is rice milk. Be sure to check the fortified rice milk as it does have quite a bit of nutritional value.

By Julia on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 08:13 pm:

hello
I have a six month old baby girl who suffers form eczema badly on the face, and sporadically on the back, arms, legs and head. She scratches until she bleeds and she constantly has scabs on her somewhere because I'm just not quick enough, at night we put gloves on her or dress her in cotton comfort (brilliant but very expensive!!) During the day I try to keep the gloves off her so she can at least play with her toys, She is extremely allergic to goats milk formula (reacting within 30 minutes), and also cows milk formula. I have found with soya milk formula the reaction to take longer, has anybody else had this? I am still breastfeeding, which is fine at night but during the day I have to express at work which is a nightmare, I'm dreading the result when I finally stop altogether.
I'm also really glad to hear that it seems to be normal for eczema babies to sleep with their parents, alot of my friends' babies sleep through the night in their own cots, where thay have used controlled crying, I just can't do this as she rubs her face until it starts to weep. We're using Doublebase as a moisturiser which is gel based, we've tried loads and I've found this to be the best, she doesn't cry when I put it on which most of the others made her do. At the moment her skin is really bad even though I haven't changed a thing in her routine, is this a flare up for no apparent reason? and is this common?
It's a great to hear that I'm not going out of my mind alone!!!

By Penny on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 10:08 pm:

maria, our little girl is allergic to cows milk and soya (plus others!) We used soya milk when we first eliminated dairy as a trial before allergy testing was done. Then we ended up using rice milk, which was approved by one dietician. Only to be later told by another dietician that there was avery little nutritional value in the rice milk for her. We were then prescribed Neocate Advance, which apparently doesnt taste brilliant but we flavour with Nesquick milkshake. We were told that very young babies accept it more easily. The Neocate is supposed to be almost like a food supplement. We had the same worries when our new baby arrived, but Gps, health visitors etc insisted that if he wasnt showing any symptoms then there was no need to restrict his diet. Very scary taking their advice, but he is ok so far.

By kez on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 07:47 pm:

Maria
Poor you know exactly how you feel - I have a 4 yrs old son with Eczema. With your new baby always take advise from doctor, as my son is intolerent to Soya. what about Rice milk?

By Maria on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 01:20 pm:

Hello,

Our 3 yr old has Eczema on hands, wrists, knees and ankles. She doesn't think about scratching too much during the day, but when she goes to bed shes awake every hour scratching, we have tried everything. The poor thing is then wrecked the next day (along with mam and dad!) Is there anything else I could try?

I am now expecting my second child and if there was anything I could do to prevent it having Eczema, I would do it. As I would rather bottle feed should I put the new arrival when it comes on Soya milk right from the start? Any suggestions on either would be very welcome. Maria - Ireland.

By Hiedi from northamptonshire on Friday, March 21, 2003 - 08:30 pm:

Hi Maria
I have a daughter of 17 months and she is a bad scratcher and we find that the eczema society sleepsuits that have mittens attached helps her sleep at night. If you are worried about your 3yr old escaping don't worry the sleepsuits have tapes to put round their wrists and ankles so they can't get out!! Something else we find helps is to put a fan on in her room so she doesn't get hot. I hope i've given you some ideas.

By Maria on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 12:05 pm:

Help! We have a 3 yr old girl with eczema mainly on her hands and feet and flare ups on her face. To say that we have tried 'everything there is' would be a major understatement! she wakens every single night scratching her hands and feet,she has done this for the past 2 and a half years and no matter what we do it seems to make no difference. During the day she rarely scratches and can be a happy little child but come night - it is torture. Despite everything I will struggle on and hope that one day or night she will sleep 8 hours without wakening and that we can all be happy. Thank you. Maria. Dublin.

By Naminder on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 01:07 pm:

Hi Pel,
have you heard of the sleepsuits with the mittens attatched? I have 2 which my son used to wear. I'm sure they helped him stop scratching and hence sleep.
How old is your daughter? These are size 6-12 months. You are welcome to have them if they will fit her.

By pel on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 10:58 am:

We have a daughter,our first.Who has very slight eczema,she has a lot of trouble sleeping,she wakes herself up with the scratching.I have tried a lot of creams and none of them seem to work with the itching.I know that some of it would be in her mind but it still dosent help us sleep at nights.If anyone has the same probs please let me know,so that we are not alone.Thanks,paul hawkins.

By Sarah on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 11:14 pm:

Dear madelyn,

I told my Gp recently that my liile boy complained that many creams sting after aplication and he has a raection to soem like diprobase and aquesous cream. Ointments are good at preventing the skin form losing moisture ut not good at putting moisture in. I've tried lots but my Gp suggested aquadrate cream because it has the least additives in it. It seems OK and Max's skin is definately softer. (eczema still ther thouhg!!!)

For sleep wear, try cotton comfort mail order as they do a wide range of cotton mitten night wear. It is expensive but I found the mitten T shirt is excellent under ordianery sleep suit and pyjamas. Max usually wears a mittent T shirt undr gymbore 100% cotton sleepsuits. Saves a bit of money.

Hope this helps.

By Madelyn on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 06:49 am:

HELP PLEASE!!!

My 2 year old have a very bad ezcema since she 3 months old, and we also try everything. Now her skin is burned and hard from all the steroid and oitments prescribe by my doctor. Please if you know any cream or anything that it my help my baby Samantha to atleast soften her skin, and bring back her complextion. Any suggestion would help.

Goodluck to everyone!

By Fay on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 03:10 pm:

Hullo,
I have a one year old baby boy with eczema. I
am looking for a cotton sleepsuit with mittens
to help prevent him scratching at night. Can
anyone point me to a mailorder/internet source in
the UK? Thanks.

Fay
London

By aishi on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 07:05 pm:

HELLO GILES,
I read your message in the eczema voice about your 6 month old child whose sleep problem and rubbing face constantly during sleep is bothering you.
We had the same problem with our 7 month old daughter(now she's 2 yrs) and her skin would crack and weep when she rubbed her face with mittens.What we did is tied her mittens with her PJs with baby safety pins so that she could not lift her hands and reach her face.
Though it sounds a little bit weird ( and somewhat cruel too@!)but all you have to think is about your child's safety above evrything else.
My daughter has eczema all over her body and we wrap her legs with a double layer of blankets (like plaster) and put mittens on her and tie those mittens with her PJs with gerber baby safety pins(3-4 pins each hand).
Good luck.
aishi.

By AISHI on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 06:52 pm:

HELLO JENNIFER,
I'M INTERSTED IN HOMEOPATHY FOR OUR 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER WITH SEVERE ECZEMA.
I WANTED YOUR INFORMATION REGARDING WHAT MEDICINES DID WORK GOOD FOR YOUR CHILD?
ANYONE ELSE WITH SUGGESTIONS ON HOMEOPATHY IS MOST WELCOME.

AISHI.
CALIFORNIA.

By Clair on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 09:35 pm:

Christine
I so know what you mean - how can these so-called professionals really not have a clue about what it's like living with an eczematous child! They seem to reject all the obvious notions of causality (i.e. food allergy), and just say use the steroids. It gets me really paranoid, and I could start talking conspiracy theory quite easily. However, I've found Jennifer Worth's book on eczema and food allergy very informative.

Has anyone else tried her recommended techniques of enzyme potentiated desensitisation useful? Does anyone know of medically registered practitioners in the UK?

Love to all, hang in there

By jennifer on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 12:43 pm:

have you tried homeopathy? try and get a referral to a homeopathic G.P. you can get remedies for house dust, cats, fleas , (probably bananas). It's made the world of difference to my daughter's eczema.

By Christine on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 11:42 pm:

Allergies - he's not growing out of them.
Daniel is 26 months and is allergic to dairy, banana, cats, perhaps apple and plum(?)and looking at your messages, tomatoey things too - that makes sense. I'm really struggling with diagnosis - he was in Junior magazine Aug 2001 with a story of how he was overlooked by the medical profession and how I had to take the plunge to diagnose allergy and withdraw certain foods . Subsequently treated like a loony of course. His excema has flared up again (we've started giving him Barney pasta shapes!) and we are eagerly awaiting a whole nights' sleep.
We've tried creams and drugs - don't talk to me about Vallergan!!! We've seen a dermatologist, dietician, 2 consultants, finally got another consultant who will test him. Wating for the appointment now. I think what is so hard is that you can end up going to all sorts of appointments for all kinds of medics but at the end of the day, if it's the allergies causing the problems then these really must be addressed. The 'best' response I had was a from a consultant who asked if I really wanted to put him through a blood test. Hmm, or perhaps SHE would like a screaming, developmentally delayed, chronically copnstipated, runny nosed, itchy, vomiting (every day)horror of a child that I could simply not bond to...

By Maria D on Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 11:05 pm:

Dear Giles,

If you decide to cut dairy products from your baby's diet there is a milk called Nutramigen in which the proteins have been treated to make it non-allergenic. Thankfully we get it on prescription because it costs about £12.00 a tin, you usually have to order it as most chemists don't routinely stock it. My daughter started having this from about 4 months of age, she is now 11 months, and her eczema did improve. Hope this is of help.

By sue on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 05:20 pm:

Hi Sabia.
With reference to something you wrote, about tomatoey things in the diet I found that my two children always scratched after having a McDonalds meal. We have since found out its their ketchup. I also stopped given my children tinned pasta i.e spaghetti hoops etc. Their skin really improved. After about 5 weeks I let my son try some and his skin started to itch after only a short time. The n ext morning he had some very sore patches all over. I was amazed at how quick the reaction nwas and also how extreme it was. But I have heard that if you find a cause and cut it out of their diet, if it is introduced back after an absence you can get an extreme reaction.
Anyway this was just to say thanks for putting us on the right track.

By Clair on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 05:10 pm:

Dear Giles
I really feel for you, your wife and your little one - we started getting sleep problems at the same age. If you are on a waiting list to see a paediatrician/dermatologist, your GP may agree to prescribe wet wraps or get you in to see the eczema nurses who can show you how to put them on. My health visitor was great in this respect, finding the right sizes, badgering the dr for us). We used tubifast redline on the arms and legs and yellowline on the body. You can read on this site all the merits (and pitfalls) of wetwrapping. But you don't have to do them wet -you can just use a lot of cream. We used Unguentum Merck which is good and then Epaderm in the summer. Alternatively the cotton comfort sleepsuits are very good - again you could just use a good emmolient under that. Have your babies diet checked - it might be your difficulties worsened around weaning onto solids ? Your doctor may agree to send you to a paediatrician, if so, ask about allergy testing (we just had some results that Efiah is allergic to milk and egg white and cat).
Hope these things help.
Efiah's been poorly recently so we haven't had much sleep for that reason - apparently this month is sleep well month or something like that - wish someone would tell the babies!!!
All the best

By GILES on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 11:23 pm:

Our son Louie is now nearly six months old.He started with eczema at around three months primarily on his face and chest. We too were reluctant to use steroids particularly on his face however hospital consultants have assured us that the steroid 'myth' has been blown out of proportion and they are perfectly safe to use. We have now been prescribed Daktacort ointment for his face. There has been a dramatic improvement but wondered whether anyone else has any information or experiences with this drug? Sleeping is a problem. Despite wearing mittens Louie tries desperately to rub his face which aggravates the skin even more.We can't see that any sleepsuit will stop this and would welcome any other suggestions.

By sue on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 10:23 am:

i have two children who both have eczema. my 4 year old son was much worse than my 2 year old daughter. though i am not sure i think this was due to him being quite ill as a baby. after trying many creams, hoemopaths and diets with not a lot of success at the moment we seem to be going through a good spell. whether this is due to what we are using at the moment or if it!s due to a good (very long spell) i don't know but i thought i would share with anyone else what we are using.. m folia ointment, cream and bath oil (very oily but makes their skin very soft and moistorised). I've also stopped using tapwater and use bottled water instead. And because they were both on longterm antibiotics (about two years) I've been using bio care acidophilus and bifidus food supplement ( a powder that you can mix with food or drink) I dont know if this combination will work for the long term but their skin is the best it has ever been at the moment.

By Sab on Friday, October 19, 2001 - 10:29 am:

Hi Maria ... Katie is 2 and a bit and has had eczema since she was about 3 months old and is also very allergic to eggs. Her skin got progressively worse and it got to the point where we were getting hardly any sleep and she would scratch and scratch all night long and bite her skin until it bled. As I said, I tried every cream/alternative treatment going to no avail. It wasn't until I had a chat to one of the nursery nurses at Katie's nursery that I thought about her diet as I had been told by several people, including doctors, that food has no bearing on eczema. However, this girl's little boy had had bad eczema and she had cut out all dairy produce and it had cleared up dramatically. I was still sceptical, but thought I would give a dairy free diet a go for 4 weeks and see what happened. I also started a food diary.

Well, the difference was amazing. Her skin improved a lot over the first few weeks, but I noticed that she was still flaring from time to time and from the food diary and reports from nursery seemed to indicate a link to tomatoes (ie in pasta sauces, ketchup, baked beans, etc). So we then cut out all tomatoey stuff as well and her skin has gone from strength to strength.

That was back in June and her eczema has not cleared up entirely and she still has a few scratching sessions during the day, but it is so much better. As well as the dairy/tomatoe free diet we also bath her nightly in Oilatum Plus bath oil, then put Dermol 500 on her, followed by 1% HC if there are any bits flaring, followed by Unguentum Merck and her eczema suit over the top. Before bed she has 5mls of Hydroxyzine antihistamine (droswy) and in the morning she has 5mls of Cetirizine antihistamine (non-drowsy)with Oilatum cream all over and also through the day as she needs it.

I don't know if changing Sophie's diet will help her, but maybe it's worth a go. When I look back in retrospect I now understand why Katie's eczema first appeared at 3 months ... that was when she went onto formula milk and her skin obviously got worse as she got older because she was eating more and more dairy products, started drinking cow's milk, eating tomatoey things, etc.

Thinking of you and hope things get better soon. Katie is our first and when things were bad I vowed I would never have another child ... now I feel more in control and, more importantly, am getting some sleep I have changed my mind. At least if we do have another baby I will be so much more knowledgeable if (god forbid) it has eczema too and I think that's half the battle.

Sorry to have waffled, it's just I know exactly how you feel.

Sabia x

By Maria on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 10:52 pm:

Hi Sabia, regarding Sophie's treatment - we are using emulsifying ointment, oilatum in bath, Hydrocortisol cream, a moisturiser made up (Homeopathy). She has been prescribed an antihistime called Phenergan but unfortunately it doesn't work. Could you tell me a little bit more on what diet you use and how old is Katie? We were told that it has nothing to do with diet and not to change her milk etc. At the end of the day you try so many things and all we want is one night's sleep, which we haven't got in 18 months .. and she's our first baby too. Anyway its great to know I'm not alone. Looking forward to hearing from you. Slan.

By Sab on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 03:18 pm:

Maria ... you sound just like I did back in March and I never thought I would have an uninterrupted night's sleep again!

You haven't said much about what you have already tried in terms of treatment, but for us I think the biggest factor was diet and the changes we have made in this area seem to have made an enormous change. I remember spending pounds and pounds on this cream and that cream hoping something would work, but in retrospect I now understand that you have to treat the eczema from within. As well as the change to Katie's diet we also give her a special baby friendly probiotic, which I also think has helped.

Let us know what you have tried/are trying and maybe we can all offer some tips. We also use antihistamines and find them quite useful ... maybe it depends on the brand ... and we also put Katie in a cotton eczema sleepsuit at night.

Sabia x

By eczemavoice on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 12:32 am:

as you can tell from the time of this message - sleep is an issue with our second baby Jeevan who is about 6 weeks old. He's not that bad really but there's not much time left after I've done my shift!!
Just wanted to say
1. It's fine by us if he wants to sleep with us. We don't care what anyone thinks. We all need sleep
2. Filing the nails - yep - keep doing it. We've done Jeevans already. No signs of the dreaded eczema yet..
Filing Arun's nails meant we could put gloveless babygrows on so that he would not be too hot
3. We'll try and get cotton comfort added on to the directory
4. I'll also copy these messages on to Oilatum/infaderm etc
5. Maria - our Arun was just like Sophie. Not sure whether he was stressed or scared of having to put himself to sleep. Once he got more comfortanle with his environment things improved. Also making him less hot - by removing the gloves and filing his nails - helped. But this is risky as they then become 'hands free'

Personally I think TUBIFAST should do gloves! I've told them so and now I'll ring them to tell them

Comfort in numbers - sleep well whenever you can and however you can
IT DOES GET BETTER

By Sharon on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 09:53 pm:

Mandy - My 2 year old son used to get upset that his older brother could have a bubble bath and he had to sit in a slimey Oilatum bath so I tried Infaderm. You can buy it in Boots and it's PH balanced, soap free, dye free, lanolin free and fragrance free. They also do a shampoo which is good and my little boy really enjoys his baths now with no ill effect.

It might be worth a try.

By Maria on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 05:49 pm:

Sophie is 18 months and has had ezcema since she was 3 months old. Our main problem is at night! she goes off to sleep alright but after about 2 or 3 hours she wakes up scratching, especially her arms and legs. This continues for hours and eventually she might go back to sleep at 6.30am in our bed. Is there anything else we could do? She has been seen by a dermatologist and he gave some antihistimine but it doesn't put her to sleep. Eire.

By clair on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 03:31 pm:

We take Efiah into bed with us too, when she can't sleep - sometimes it's just the reassurance she wants. I think though she has the ability to detect my worries - if we've got a hospital appt the next day, we all sleep terribly!

By John L on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 12:19 pm:

Mandy,

Thanks for the info on Purecottoncomfort.

I have ordered a catalogue & will let you know how I get on.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

John

By Jennifer on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 11:36 am:

Have you tried homeopathy? I really recommend going to a G.P. who is a homeopath (you can get lists from the homepathic hospitals in London and Scotland) as we had a very bad experience with a lay homeopath who didn't want us to work with conventional medicine at all. I have a four 1/2 year old daughter who never slept. we were given phenedrine and valergan which made her so dopey she could hardly open her eyes or do anything the next day. Didn't work for long either. She now has chamomilla 30c and coffea 30c before going to bed and sleeps well.


good luck.

By mandy on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 10:54 am:

Dear Deborahjane

Thanks for your message. I haven't heard of brompheniramine elixir, but will certainly mention it to the girl's consultant when we see him next month. I think he's pulling his hair out as he's running out of ideas! He's actually really good and open to suggestion. I also have a six month old baby boy, showing signs of eczema, but not as bad as the girls at six months, so I could really do with some sleep!! So far I've not used any steroid creams on him, am managing to cope with Oilatum baths and moisturising - it's not bothering him at the moment so I'll try not to use the creams until I really have to.

Scarlett and Laurel's eczema is mainly hands and feet, which is quite unusual for their age. Fingers and toes are constantly splitting and often infected. They cope really well with the medication and constant creaming and moisturising, but, even at the age of 3 they're getting teased at playgroup. I had to remove them from one playgroup because the staff made such a fuss about them being bandaged and not letting them join in with making biscuits that Scarlett became hysterical each time we went. I think this is where having a twin becomes a great advantage - they do stick up for each other. The playgroup they go to now is fantastic - they remove all soap and I supply them with Dermol Lotion for all the kids to use and they make sure the girls have cream on their hands after washing.

It is hard to answer questions like "why do I always have to have eczema?" and "why does so and so have bubbles/soap, etc in their bath". They would really love bubble bath - does anyone know of one that they could use? On the odd occasion I've let them have bubbles, but it's just not worth the hassle - they react so badly. They both suffer from eczema around their bottoms and girlie bits - to the point that during a flare up they put off going for a wee because of the stinging and end up wetting themselves. Have tried so many different creams, including canneston, betnovate c, trimuvate, any ideas anyone?

Thanks for listening!

By deborahjayne on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 09:45 pm:

mandy
Was interested to read about your experience with vallergan with your girls.My daughter sophie was put on this at a previous hospital by a consultant and given it when she was in hospital.She went off her head and you could scrape her off the ceiling.Consultant finally admitted she had an allergic response to this sedative.It sedatives or has the opposite effect.
Your the first person that i have heard of having the same experience as me but double.Now we have found a great sedative called brompheniramine elixir.Its a lot better and doesn't send sophie off her head, have you tried it?

By mandy on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 07:11 pm:

Dear John L,

I have 3 year old twin girls with severe atopic eczema, so I know how frustrating and upsetting the nightly scratching can be. The girls have Vallergan Forte Syrup as a sedative, but this only works if used for 3 days on, 4 days off. They build up some kind of resisitance to it after a couple of nights and this can lead to them becoming totally hyperactive if we use it without a break. With regard to finding scratch mittens for an 18 month old baby. There is a company called Cotton Comfort that does all sorts of clothing for eczema sufferes, including mittens and gloves. They have a website: www.purecottoncomfort.com. Hope this is of use.

Regards and good luck.

By John L on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 12:26 pm:

My 18 month old son has Eczema on his face. It originally appeared on his cheeks at about 9 months ands gradually inmproved with time.

We use E45 cream & that seems to do the trick.

He doesn`t seem have the urge to scratch in the daytime unless he is very tired. At night however he tends to scatch / rub his face in his sleep causing flaking / grazing to the skin.

Does anyone know where I could get hold of mits for a child of his age ? I know you can buy tops with the Mits sewn in , but would prefer to try the mits on their own first.

By eczemavoice on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 10:44 pm:

PJ - many a time Arun would share our bed. Do not feel ashamed about it. We do not live in a perfect world. We certainly got some excellent sleep as a result. He now sleeps in his own bed - and sometimes I just want to pick him up and put him in bed with me - kind of like a human teddy bear.
Good luck - and really pleased to see you had a great week
well done to you and Ben

By pj on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 10:37 pm:

Sarah, my Mum, bless her, makes Ben trousers with feet incorporated in them out of t-shirt material. They are very soft and he cannot pull up the trouser legs to attack his ankles. They are an incredibly simple design like very loose tights with an elasticated top and I have found them brilliant. He always wears them now- the lovely and trendy Baby Gap clothes are folded up in a drawer!

With reference to bed-sharing, Ben at 16 months shares our bed, it is the only way anyone gets any sleep. I felt a bit ashamed of this but was reassured to read in David Atherton's book "Eczema in childhood" that it is very common for children with eczema to share their parents bed. Now I dont feel bad about it at all (except when I want to watch telly in bed).

By sarah on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 05:16 pm:

Does anyone know of how i can get hold of second hand eczema clothing? We bought my son Joe a pair of cotton comfort PJs which enclose his hands and feet and they are wonderful. They have really helped to limit the damage that he does to his skin at night and he actually seems to find them comfortable to wear. In the daytime he wears Pj bottoms (without feet) and long sleeve vest bodies (that is when I manange to wean him out of the tubifast bandages!). What sort of clothes have other people found their children are comfortable in?

By Anthonette on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 03:34 pm:

Hi Kate,
My son, Elliot, is just over two now and he was on Vallergan and Piriton from the age of one. When he turned two we swopped the Piriton for zirtek. To be honest, I've never found them any use for stopping the itching or helping him to sleep but the zirtek is brilliant if he accidentally eats something he's allergic to.

I bought his cot sheets from The White Company (website is thewhiteco.com, I think) and they are very soft. When he moved into a bed I bought his bed sheets from them too. I hope this helps.

By Kate on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 09:03 am:

My son William is now 15 months old and has had Eczema since he was 2 months. We were prescribed Hydroxine to help his sleep when he was about 7 months old but have never found that it has any impact and so don't use it - has anyone else found this? We have also been told that none of the other antihystermines are recommended for under 2s. William has woken 3 or 4 times a night every night since he had Eczema and although we bring him into our bed every night he is still restless there.

Also, William often rubs his face on his cot sheets (subsequently making it bleed). Has anyone sle had this and do you know where you can buy soft cotton sheets which wouldn't cause as much damage?

Kate

PS - Great to find a place where we can voice our moans and concerns to an informed audience rather than the "it's only a rash and they all grow out of it" brigade.

By eczemavoice on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 11:01 pm:

copied from related topics
By Clair on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 09:06 pm:

Sab
I looked up Vallergan in the BNF that Drs use when prescribing (I work in the NHS too). Vallergan (trimeprazine tartrate)is used as an antihistamine for itchy skin and can also be used as a premedication to knock you out before the general anaesthetic, so I think it's a pretty heavy drug. There was also an info leaflet in the box with a number of possible side effects.

I think legally there should be an information sheet provided with all drugs listing all possible side-effects/interactions/what to do about overdose etc, when you get them from the chemist, but I know my local chemist often takes them out. You should be able to ask for it though.
Good luck,

By Sab on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 12:43 pm:


We have been using Cetirizine and Hydroxyzine every day since we saw the dermatologist ... I can't find anything that says they have any side effects and Katie seems absolutely fine on them. However, I would love to hear if anyone else has any views on these.

I've tried looking up Vallergen, but cannot find any reference to it anywhere ... is it a common antihistamine. It sounds quite a heavy drug.

Sabia x

By Clair on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 10:05 am:


Davinder
Thanks for your comments - we did try it on Saturday (although only half the prescribed dose, just in case), and she was fine on it, after being unsettled for another hour she went off fine and slept right through until 8.30am (usually it's 6.30am we're up). But like you say, we didn't want to get dependent on it, so we didn't give it last night, and she slept through again - I wonder if it is partly that they need, like other babies, to learn what it's like to sleep a good night. But she didn't have any worrying side effects, so I won't be worrying as much in future, I hope. Thanks for your comments, it just helps to get others' views on these things

By Davinder on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 08:56 am:


clair - we used vallergen before the age of 2. It helped a lot as it finally meant we got some sleep!
It is up to you but importantly you have had advice. We are not aware of any long term effects but then we did not give it every night. However we were very keen too make sure that we and the baby did not become *dependent* on it!
It is also worth bearing in mind that if you are not sleeping then nor is the baby. The sedative can help you both. But like you we were concerned about giving too much - and the temptation when you have it in the cupboard..- which is why we would maybe only gave it 2-3 times a week. This way you have an opportunity to recharge your batteries.
I'll add more later - I know it is a difficult area.
Good luck - whichever way you decide to go.

By Clair on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 09:38 pm:


I saw Efiah's consultant last week and she prescribed a heavy dose of Vallergan (antihistamine) to help her sleep at night.

We have found that she goes mad with itching as soon as wraps come off and she's a strong little lady - can squirm right out of your arms. It worries me sick using sharp scissors so close to her. We too use Dermol and Ung M, and have found Epaderm a better ointment, as it is richer.

But anyway, I've been holding off the Vallergan because I read the side effects were the same as those listed for Chlorpromazine (an anti-psychotic used a lot in the past for in adults). Has anyone had experience with Vallergan? I guess I'm just concerned about the long-term effects of it, but the thought of the sleep... well, it's a tough one. It's also not recommended for under 2's I believe and Efiah is still only 11 months.

By Sab on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 02:42 pm:


We saw a Consultant Dermatologist for the first time on 31st July. At this time we were wet wrapping Katie every night and, as you know this had made a huge difference to her skin, sleeping, etc. However, she had had two infections and course of antibiotics in as many weeks and we told this to the doctor ... we also said that she seemed extremely itchy when the bandages weren't on. The consultant told us that wet wraps increase the chance of infection greatly and we should leave them off. Also, she said that Katie's skin was over-moisturised and that that can cause intense itching.

We came away from the appointment armed with Dermol 500 lotion (antibacterial) and two sorts of anti-histamine (Cetirizine non-drowsy for day and Hydroxyzine drowsy for night)and were very apprehensive about leaving the wraps off (visions of endless sleepless nights, awful red, dry skin again. However, I have to say that Katie's skin is the best it has been in a very long time and her sleeping is fantastic. She has slept straight through the night for the last 5 nights. We still use unguentum merck at night on her skin and put her to bed in a Cotton Comfort eczema sleepsuit and she seems extremely comfortable. Every few days she has a few red patches pop up, but we can sort these out with either Sudocrem or 1% H/C.

This current regime is fine ... the only thing that worries me slightly is the daily dose of antihistamine ... I think it's fairly safe from what I have read, but does anyone have any thoughts on it?

Sabia x

By Davinder on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 - 10:00 pm:

Sabia - we have added the wet wraps site to the Eczemaworld Directory on the site here
all the best
Davinder

By Sab on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 - 11:35 am:

Hello Katie ... my heart goes out to you, as I also have a 2 year old with eczema (who is also called Katie) and until recently I felt at my wits end with it. The thing that has helped us enormously over the last month is being introduced to wet wraps.

The dermatology nurse at our local hospital showed us how to put the bandages on and after a few teething difficulties we have not looked back. Whilst Katie's eczema has by no means disappeared, we are feeling so much more in control of things because the biggest difference they have made is with the sleeping. Before the bandages Katie would be awake someimes just an hour or so after going to bed, scratching herself into a frenzy, and this pattern would continue through the night, so no-one was getting any sleep. Now, she still does wake most nights (although has slept through on about half a dozen occasions in the last month), but it usually isn't until about 3 or 4am and is quite happy to come into bed with us for a cuddle and go straight back to sleep until morning! Amazing! She can't get at her skin to scratch or bite it and when you take the bandages off in the morning her skin is sooo soft and almost normal ... it makes you want to cry! Needless to say, as soon as the bandages are off she has a good scratch, but if things get too itchy in the day we can just pop the bandages back on for a bit more relief.

Wet wraps have made such a huge difference to the management of Katie's eczema and she is a much happier child for it. It is a real fag to have to do this every night, but you get quicker and it is SOOO worth it.

My advice to you, Katie, would be to try and see if you can get to see a dermatology nurse who can show you how to do the wraps. All the bandages and creams are on prescription and this is something which you can do whilst waiting for your hospital appt to come through (we've got our 1st one in 2 weeks time). Ask your GP or health visitor if they can put you in touch with the nurses or, failing that, phone your local hospital and ask for the dermatology nurses.

I know I have gone on about this, but honestly 2 months ago I was really ready to flip through lack of sleep and control over Katie's skin and the wet wraps have been such a godsend. There is more information available at www.wetwraps.co.uk or the National Eczema Society has a really good booklet on wet wrapping.

I hope this helps and wish you all the luck with your little ones skin.

Sabia x

By katie on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 06:51 pm:

Hi
My name is Katie and I have a two year old little boy who is covered with eczema. I am constantly at the GP who give him Diprobase and Eumovate, but this does not seem to work - he is constantly scratching at night time. My GP suggested seeing a pediatric dermotologist but the waiting list is nearly a year, has anyone any other ideas..!
Thanks
From a very tired mum..!

By Maria D on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 11:34 pm:

Joan - Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely try to get one of these sleep suits, hope we have as much success with it as you.

Katherine - I got my allergenic bedding from a company called The Healthy House. The bedding I chose is from Medibed and is safe for babies and children. The Healthy House catalogue has a good selection of bedding for babies and children. Hope this is of help.

By Joan on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 07:21 pm:

Sorry Maria I have'nt been on-line for a few weeks.I bought chloes speepsuit through an add in Eczema society mag the company are called Halmax and cost aboat £20 depending on size.I can honestly say that I have found them a god send and that my daughter is still sleeping right through the night.

By Katherine on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 08:56 am:

Can anyone help with suggestions for bedding for my two year old boy, do I need anti bacterial as well as non allergenic bedding, as there are quilts & pillows claiming to be both? The pillow protector I have says not suitable for infants so I dare not use that.
Great site by the way, it helps to Know there are others getting sleepless nights!!

By Sarah on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 09:28 pm:

hello
my homeopath gave my 22 month old a homeopathic dose of valerian, a traditional mild herbal sedative. I can't say it helped him much but it might be worth a try for those concerned about longer term use of more conventional sedatives like vallergan

By Maria on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 11:14 pm:

Joan, I read with interest about the lightweight sleepsuit you bought for your daughter. Please could you tell me where it was bought from. Thanks.

By joan robertson on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 09:10 pm:

Hello
MY name is Joan and my 2 and 1/2 year old daughter suffers from exteme atopic exzema,since birth.Please do not give up hope for the first time in her small life, Chloe my daughter has slept all night in her own bed for over a week now.I credit this to her new lightweight sleepsuit which zips up the back so she cant remove it and also has mits attached at the elbow.At first she hated the sight of her new nightwear and it was a struggle to get them on but now a couple of months down the line I think it was the right move.

By Toni on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 11:57 pm:

Our 3rd child Phoebe developed eczema around about 10/12 weeks old. Her milk spots on the face seemed to take forever to disappear and things starting going downhill rapidly from 12 weeks onwards. Although I cannot be 100% sure I feel the eczema was aggravated when she received her immunisations. It was obvious after the 12 week jab as she had a flare up, although I didn't link them at the time. She still has one jab outstanding (Dip/Polio/Menigitis) because she was too ill to receive them.

Before all the recent bad publicity on the MMR was raised I have great reservations about her having this jab in 6 weeks time. I have spoken to a couple of people that have said that the jabs can aggravate conditions such as asthma/eczema. I would be interested in any comments/experiences any one out there has.

Just for background Phoebe was prescribed 1% hydrocortisone by the GP after aqeuous cream did nothing - her skin got worse afterwards, she also reacted to Diprobase. The GP didn't really listen when I told her this worsened and said I had to be patient..... In desperation I consulted a homeopath. I really didn't want to go down the steroid route if we could at all avoid it and persisted with the homeopath for 2 months only to see a very mild improvement. Phoebe's condition meanwhile was deteriotating and very scaring. When she finally got to see consultant at the hospital after a 2 month wait (she was 6 months at this stage) she had to have 1 in 4 steroid cream to get her skin under control. I was horrified but so frightened and agreed to cooperate with the consultant. He also had a course of antibiotics, vallergen - 10ml despite the recommendation not to give under 2 year old children. The hospital despatched dermatology nurses and we saw the consultant weekly. Within a month there were great improvements but naturally still a great deal of work. I found trying to maintain both the conventional and homeopathic treatment difficult, not to mention the high cost which were difficult to keep up with. So I stopped taking the homeopathic treatment which appeared to have no change in Phoebe's condition.

Sleeping is still a luxury - Phoebe will sleep not more than 4 hours in one stretch. She sleeps in our bed every night as that is the only way the household are able to sleep. She is a poor eater and we are still discovering her food allergies, dairy,soya, pork & tomatoes (we think!).

Oh dear - this all sounds very depressing, sorry about that, but I am being completely frank about our situation. But to keep us all going I keep photographics of Phoebe in those dark days when her condition was at its worst. When I am really low I look at this and realise just how far we have come. Things about a 1000 times better - so we don't forget that and realise as time goes by hopefully things will improve more so.

I feel I am fairly well read on eczema and am a member of the NES. However, there are some useful things on your site that I will look forward to browsing very soon.

By Naminder on Tuesday, January 16, 2001 - 11:21 am:

Hi Helen,

I'm pretty certain Phenergan is very similar to Vallergan, certainly the doseage required is calculated the same way for both.
I think the former is a non presription medicine and available over the counter, but check with a pharmacist.
It isn't recommended for under 2s though.
Best of luck, nights are always longer when kids don't sleep!

By Terry on Monday, January 15, 2001 - 04:15 pm:

At 21 you may think I am still a little young to be thinking of having children, but I have been thinking about it for a long time, I love children and would love to be a father, but one thing remains in my mind. As a life long eczema sufferer, what are the chances of my condition being passed on to my children? I don't want anyone I love to have to go through what I did as a child. Its a long time in the future but its still on my mind all the time. If the chance was high then I don't know what I would do, I don't know if it would affect me enough so as I decide not to have children of my own but to adopt instead. It would be a very big decision.

Terry

By Helen Cree on Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:17 pm:

my girls are 1 & 3 year old and both suffer from eczema ( I have had it for 25 years!) . The only thing to stop the itching is to calm them or us as parents down , easier said than done in the early hours ! Antihistimines are useful , but not the answer . We haven't got the answer but could also do with support !! Vallergan gave us a break but then we came into conflict with our G.P over it and cannot get it now ( a blackmarket source would be very appreciated )

By moderator on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - 08:16 pm:

how old is your child?
use lots of cream before bedtime and at each nappy change - stick to a robust routine
you could try a babygrow which has the hands covered
you could try socks on the hands
speak to your doctor regarding antihistimines/sedatives
use toys to create a distraction

By kemira1 on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 03:38 am:

is there anyone who has a child with eczema that has ideas on how to stop the itching, expecially at bedtime?

By Hugh Devereux on Monday, January 08, 2001 - 10:47 pm:

Hi,
I've just posted a new topic on diet, but our lad also suffered with scratching through the night, which we have more or less got through although he still wakes most nights at 3-4 am.

He won't sleep without his thumb in mouth, which was a problem when he is in wet wrap bandages. We resolved this by just cutting a hole for a thumb. He seems less able to do too much damage to himself with this.

By Christina on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 09:16 pm:

Thanks for the replies. We have antihistamine on prescription which we keep for the very bad nights. I keep his nails as short as I can and he has his wraps over his fingers at night so this minimises the damage but does not stop the scratching.

I will try giving him a toy or comfort blanket to cuddle at night as a substitute for me. I'll let you know how we get on.

By Anonymous on Thursday, January 04, 2001 - 01:32 am:

My doctor gave me a prescription for Claritan. It helps my three year old daughter sleep at night and decreases the itching. Benedryl also helps and is over-the-counter.

By moderator on Monday, January 01, 2001 - 10:22 pm:

Christina - this sounds familiar!
1. There is nothing wrong with the baby sleeping with you. We all need to get rest. Arun often slept with us. He's now 26 months and goes to sleep at 7.30ish and usually sleeps through. Hang in there - all the people talking about babies and sleep DO NOT UNDERSTAND ECZEMA BABIES.
2. Do you file the nails?
3. You can buy babygrows which have the hands covered. The problem is that he will get hotter so you would need to compensate with the bedding.
you could also cut some holes on the palms.
4. Try giving him a cuddly toy - this would help sleep and give him something to hold on to and to occupy his hands. Careful of the material and dust mites - buy two so that you can regularly freeze to kill the mites!!
keep in touch - good luck

By Christina on Sunday, December 31, 2000 - 06:11 pm:

My 21 month old little boy has moderate eczema that we treat with the usual steroid creams, emollient therapy and dry wraps that he wears night and day. This has been the situation now for 6 months. In the day he is generally fine and rarely scratches unless he is tired or upset.

However at night he will settle for anywhere between 1 and 3 hours and then the scratching starts. He is mostly asleep while he scratches but is terribly restless and of course starts to damage his skin. I do not think that he gets too warm, we have anti-allergen bedding and we often apply more emollient in the night to see if this helps. By 5.00am he seems to stop scratching again and often sleeps calmly in the early morning.

We are loosing a lot of sleep trying to get him to stay calm through the night, and he is now sleeping in our bed which we know is the worst thing we can do, but we are desperate to get some sleep ourselves.

Does anyone have any tips on how we can get him to sleep better through the night, or any suggestions as to why he does not scratch in the day but does so at night?